Nag Panchami Date 2024: This year Nag Panchami falls on 9th August, Friday.
Nag Panchami, a festival deeply rooted in Hindu traditions and mythology, is a celebration dedicated to the worship of serpent deities. According to the Hindu calendar, Nag Panchami is celebrated on the 5th day of the (Shukla Paksha) in the holy month of Shravan (July-August). It revolves around the worship of snakes, known as Nagas, as divine beings worthy of admiration. On this day, people pay their respects to these serpentine gods, seeking their blessings for various aspects of life, including protection, prosperity, and harmony.
Mythological Reason
The story behind Nag Panchami varies across different regions of India, but a common narrative involves Lord Krishna. In Hindu mythology, Krishna persuaded the villagers of Vrindavan to worship Govardhan Hill instead of Lord Indra, the rain god. Angered, Indra sent torrential rains, which Krishna countered by lifting Govardhan Hill on his little finger to protect the villagers.
This event angered the serpent king Kaliya, who lived in the Yamuna River and poisoned its waters. In response, Krishna danced on Kaliya's hoods, subdued him, and banished him from the river. Nag Panchami commemorates this event, and snakes are worshipped to seek their blessings and protection.
Significance of Nag Panchami
Snakes are revered as powerful creatures and worshipped as deities, especially by devotees from the Naga tribe. It is believed that any offerings made to snakes during Nag Panchami reach the serpent deities. There are many snake deities, the main twelve snakes worshipped on this day are Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, Karkotaka, Ashvatara, Dhritarashtra, Shankhapala, Kaliya, Takshaka, and Pingala. Additionally, it is believed that worshipping snakes on this day helps devotees overcome their fear of serpents and alleviates Kaal Sarpa Dosh.
On this day, it is considered that fields should not be ploughed or the earth dug, as this can harm or kill snakes. Additionally, trees should not be cut down, as this may harm or kill serpents living in them.
Nag Panchami is celebrated with distinct rituals across various regions. In Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, the festival features grand processions and the worship of snake pits known as 'Naga Devatha Sannidhi.' In West Bengal, Nag Panchami, referred to as Manasa Puja, is dedicated to the snake goddess Manasa, with devotees fervently worshipping clay idols of the goddess.
Rituals and Practices
On Nag Panchami, devotees across India perform various rituals to honour the serpent deities. Here are some common practices:
- Snake Idol Worship: Devotees create idols of snakes using materials like clay or silver. These idols are then worshipped with offerings of milk, sweets, flowers, and incense. It is believed that feeding milk to snakes or their idols pleases the serpent gods and brings prosperity.
- Drawing Snake Images: In many households, women draw images of snakes on the walls and floors using natural colours and turmeric paste. These drawings are worshipped with great devotion.
- Visiting Snake Temples: People visit temples dedicated to serpent gods, such as the Nagas, Ananta, and Vasuki. Special prayers and offerings are made at these temples, and priests often perform elaborate rituals.
Some Nag Temples in India
- Mannarasala Temple, Kerala: Houses over 30,000 images of Nag deities, making it the largest snake temple in Kerala.
- Nag Vasuki Temple, Prayagraj: Dedicated to the serpent king Vasuki.
- Manasa Devi Temple, Haridwar.
- Bhujanga Naga Temple, Gujarat.
- Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, Karnataka.
- Naganath Swamy Temple, Tamil Nadu.
- Agasanahalli Nagappa, Davangere, Karnataka.
- Ghati Subramanya Swamy Temple, Doddaballapura, Karnataka.
Note: You can visit any nearby temple, as Nag shrines are often placed in all temples.