Know legends and significance of Nag Panchami! Follow the celebrations of Nag Panchami festival on August 15, 2018 with Hindu rituals and tradition.
According to Hindu Calendar, Nag Panchami or festival of snakes is celebrated on the fifth day of moonlit fortnight (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Shravan. It is a Hindu festival celebrated every year to worship snakes. This year, Nag Panchami will be celebrated on Aug 15 2018. As per Vedic Astrology, snakes are considered deities, and so, Naag Devta (Snake God) is especially worshipped on this day. It is also believed that if a person worships snakes on this sacred day, they remain steer clear of the possibilities of snake bites. There are a handful of Hindu mythologies that are filled with stories and tales about snakes. The festival is celebrated worldwide with great fervor and faith.
हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें
हिंदी में पढ़ने के लिए यहाँ क्लिक करें
Another important event that held on this day is the arduous trekking pilgrimage known as Nagdwar Yatra to Pachmarhi. On this occasion, food is cooked in a Karahi (cooking pot) as an offering to the Snake God.
| Naag Panchami 2018 Puja Muhurat | |
| Naag Panchami Puja Muhurat | From 05:49:59 to 08:28:11 |
| Duration | 2 Hrs 38 mins |
Note: This muhurat is applicable for New Delhi. To know muhurat timings in your city, read Nag Panchami Puja Vidhi and Muhurat
Mythological Significance of Nag Panchami
There are some Indian mythological scriptures such as Skanda Purana, Agni Purana, Narada Purana and Mahabharata, which give information about Puja rituals for worshipping snake and also mention its religious and mythological significance. As per ancient beliefs, it is believed that the origin of snakes is associated with Lord Brahma, and that is the reason why worshipping them is considered auspicious. The son of Lord Brahma, known as Kashyapa had four wives. His first wife was the mother of all Devtas, second wife of Garudas, third wife of Nagas and fourth wife was the mother of all Asuras. The third wife of Kashyapa, named Kadroo, had given birth to Nagas. Therefore, Nagas (snakes) are also known by the name of Kadrooja.
Nine Species of Snakes (Nagas)
The Sanskrit names of 9 Great Nāgas are Anant, Vāsuki, Sheshnāg, Padmanābha, Kambala, Shankhapāla, Dhārtarāshtra, Takshaka, and Kaliya. Nag Panchami, also known as Bhratru Panchami, is the day when sisters along with their brothers worship snakes and their burrows (snake hole) to seek the blessings of snakes. Sisters performed this Puja for the well-being of their brothers, so that they do not suffer or steer clear of snake bites. This Hindu festival is also celebrated as Vishari Puja or Bishari Puja in some regions of the country, where Bisha or Visha means “poison”.
Importance of Snakes in Hindu Religion and Vedic Astrology
India has always been known as the land of snake worshippers and snakes. People of India celebrates the festival of Nag Panchami in honor of serpents and snakes. During the festival of Nag Panchami, people wash the snakes with milk ensuring their families safety from danger of snakes.
It is believed that snakes are imbibed with more powers than humans. The connection of snakes with Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Subramanya, shows their religious significance and hence, shows the devotion of Hindus towards cobra and other snakes throughout the country. The relation of snake with Moon nodes in Hindu astrology is known for more than one reason. It is believed that the tail of the snake is considered as Ketu (Dragon’s tail) and the head as Rahu (Dragon’s head). If seven planets of an individual are surrounded between Rahu and Ketu in reverse order, it is said that the person has Kalasarpa Dosha or defect due to black snakes in his Zodiac Chart. It brings bad luck and hardship in an individual’s life. Therefore, it can be rectified by worshipping the snakes on the day of Nag Panchami.
Celebration of Nag Panchami in Different States
In the state of Maharashtra, there is a city called Nagpur where snakes have special eminence. The name of the city is derived from the word Naga (means snake) as the place or the place is full of snakes. Mahal area in Nagpur has a temple called Nagoba, where worshippers offer special prayers to snakes on Nag Panchami day. It is said that the temple was found under the Neem tree, known as “Nagoba ka vota”.
In Banaras (Varanasi), Akharas (where wrestling practice has been performed) are decorated on the day of Nag Panchami. Additionally, Akharas are cleaned and painted with images of snakes, priests, and the gurus. Here, the festival is important as wrestlers are the symbol of virility and Naga symbolizes the “scheme of virility”. Therefore, the decoration of Akharas and images of snake shows snakes drinking milk.
In Kashmir, snakes have been worshipped by Hindu people from a very long time. In north eastern states such as Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal and Assam, Goddess Manasa Devi is worshipped on this occasion. In Hindu mythology, Manasa Devi is considered the Queen of Snakes and sister of Vasuki. She is also believed to be the Snake Goddess, Jaratkaru, the same snake that was wrapped around Mandarachal mountain during Samudra Manthan. In Maharashtra, devotees go round the burrows (snake hole) and sing songs in praise of snake gods. Furthermore, Manasa plant symbolizing the Goddess Mansa is also worshipped on this day. It is not only worshiped in the month of Shravan, but also in the month of Bhadra.
In Karnataka, the preparation for the festival starts on the New Moon day of Bhima Amavasya, which is five days prior to the festival of Panchami. The festival is celebrated within the boundaries of the house. The devotees offer raw milk and green Bananas. Girls offer prayers to the images made with white clay and painted with white dots. During the ritual, they offer prayers and take a vow by tying a thread dipped in turmeric paste on their right wrist. An image of snake is drawn on the floor in front of the house and milk is offered as a religious offering. Before one night of the festival, they complete the fast or take a salt free diet. After Puja, a delicious feast is held.
In Karnataka, the preparation for the festival starts on the New Moon day of Bhima Amavasya, which is five days prior to the festival of Panchami. The festival is celebrated within the boundaries of the house. The devotees offer raw milk and green Bananas. Girls offer prayers to the images made with white clay and painted with white dots. During the ritual, they offer prayers and take a vow by tying a thread dipped in turmeric paste on their right wrist. An image of snake is drawn on the floor in front of the house and milk is offered as a religious offering. Before one night of the festival, they complete the fast or take a salt free diet. After Puja, a delicious feast is held.
It is observed that if Nag-Panchami is celebrated every year with devotion and gaiety, then snakes bestow the person with good health, wealth and happiness. However, if snakes are unhappy or angry, they make you sick and no medicine can heal your from pain or suffering.
We hope that you like this article on Nag Panchami. If you want to read more updates on festivals or any other astrological event, read our blogs on AstroSage Magazine.
