Nag Panchami 2017: Holy Day To Honor Snakes!

The date for Nag Panchami in 2017 date is July 27. Have you ever thought the creeping creatures can bless you with divinity? Yes! It’s true. Snakes are much more than being venomous. If you want to know more about Nag Panchami, read this article.

Nagpanchami begins with Naga Chaturthi which is a day before this pious day. Real celebrations of Nagpanchami come to an end on Nag Shashti, the day next to it. The meritorious festival of Naga Chaturthi is also known as Nagula Chauth or Nagula Chavithi.

Though this heavenly day is observed by men and women both, but in most parts of the country, Nagula Chavithi is observed by the women to fetch welfare for their family.

In Indian mythology, every animal or species is given respect and immense importance. Nagpanchami signifies the importance of snakes and is therefore, exclusively meant to honor and worship the snake community.

Nag Panchami starts with morning prayers, making of cowdung snakes, worshiping of snakes, immersion of snake idols, and ends with evening prayers.

Nag Panchami : The Nine Snake Deities Worshiped On Nag Panchami

On the auspicious day of Naga Panchami, nine snake deities are honored and worshiped.

Special rituals are performed at temples by the priests and devotees. The nine Snake Lords worshiped on Naga Panchami are:

1. Ananta
2. Sesha
3. Shankhapala
4. Kaliya
5. Vasuki
6. Kambala
7. Takshaka
8. Padmanabha
9. Dhruthrashtra

Now, let’s take a look at the mythological significance of Nag Panchami.

Nag Panchami: Serpents & Indian Mythology

In India, snakes are worshiped and honored as Nag Devta on the pious day of Nagpanchami. For this reason, they are treated sacred and a number of temples have been built to maintain their importance. Each year, snakes or serpents are worshiped with immense respect and devotion on the pious day of Nagpanchami. Pictures, idols and images of snakes are honored this day with religious rituals. Though the rituals of this day vary from region to region, but the highlight of this day is seen in areas where people carry snakes in pots and visit the temples. With religious songs and dance, people carry serpents to the priests who honor them with Haldi (turmeric), flowers, and Kumkum (vermilion). These customs are very much alive in Indian beliefs and thus, Naga Panchami is treated with equal importance as other sacred days.

Nag Panchami: Nag Panchami & Kaal Sarp Yoga

In the birth chart (Kundali), when all the planets come in between shadowy planets Rahu and Ketu, Kaal Sarp Yoga is formed. As per the beliefs, natives with Kaal Sarp Yoga in their birth chart, need to work harder than usual, to achieve success in their life. Due to the presence of 12 houses in birth chart, this Yoga can be formed in 12 different ways. No matter in which house Kaal Sarp Yoga is formed, it definitely gives troubles to the native. To reduce the negative effects of the malefic Yoga, Nag Panchami falling in Shravan month is considered the most auspicious. According to scriptures, Lord of Panchami Tithi i.e. fifth day is Nag Devta. On this day, witnessing Nag Devta or worshiping the deity, leads to attainment of fruitful results. Also, this Tithi is believed to be excellent for smoothly carrying out the rituals of reducing the effects of Kaal Sarpa Yoga. It is suggested to all the natives facing Kaal Sarpa Yoga to make the best of this day by performing remedies of this malefic Yoga. However, if this is not possible, you can visit Lord Shiva’s temple to worship and honor the Lord of all snakes, Shiva. Serving Nag Devta on Nag Panchami, bestows the devotees with auspicious results. As per scientific research and studies, it has been proved that intake of milk by snakes leads to their death. Therefore, in order to save the snakes, we should never offer milk to them. Snakes protect our valuable crops and grains in the fields, from the attack of rats. Thus, it is our responsibility to take care of Nag Devta and protect their life.

Nag Panchami: Celebration Across The Country

On Nag Panchami, people residing in Assam, Bengal, and Orissa, worship Goddess Mansa, the mother of all snakes. In Kerala, Nag Panchami is the day to worship and honor the grand serpent, Shesh Naag. In South India, people take oil bath on the day of Nagpanchami. Here, unmarried girls worship Lord Snake on this day and observe Nag Panchami Vrat to get a suitable groom.

To celebrate Nag Panchami, snake charmers of Maharashtra, take snake or cobra in a basket and visit houses to ask for alms, donations, and clothes.

Nag Panchami: The 2 Popular Legends

Naag Panchami is associated with two very popular stories. Out of these, the legend of Lord Krishna and deadly snake, Kaliya, is widely popular. On every Naag Panchami, people recall these legends and tell about them to other people too. Now, let us discuss these stories in detail on the occasion of Nag Panchami.

Tale Of Krishna & Kaliya

The reason as to why Nag Panchami is celebrated takes us back to the times of Lord Krishna. Once, the Lord was playing with his friends on the banks of river Yamuna. While playing, the ball got stuck in between the branches of a tree. Krishna in order to get the ball back, started making attempts. As the ball was stuck in in the tree, Krishna lost his balance while fetching it and fell into the river. That river was the home of Kaliya, a dangerous snake. As a result, the snake attacked Krishna. Krishna did not let it go. In response, Krishna fought with Kaliya and in no time, the snake realized that he was not any ordinary child. He asked the Lord to spare him. Krishna agreed to spare him on a condition that he (Kaliya) will not harm anybody ever. From that day, Nag Panchami came into existence and is celebrated as the victory of Lord Krishna on Kaliya.

The Snake and the Farmer

Long ago, there was a farmer who used to live in a village with his wife and 3 children (two sons and one daughter). Once, while ploughing the fields, the farmer accidentally killed three young serpents who were hiding on an anthill. At that time, mother snake was not there and when she came back, she started searching for her children desperately. While looking for them, she found them cut into pieces and realized that they were killed by the farmer. This made her violent and she planned to take revenge. On the same night, when the farmer was sleeping with his wife and sons, the angry snake entered their house and bit them all, one by one. To her surprise, she found the farmer’s daughter missing and recalled that she had gone out to her in-laws house. As she was hurt by the death of his sons and was in the mood to take revenge, she ran to the neighbouring village to kill the daughter. As soon as she was about to bite her, she saw the girl worshiping a clay snake she made on her own. With both hands joined, she bowed in front of the created snake and performed proper rituals. The young girl asked for forgiveness if the mistakes were committed unknowingly and asked for the safety of her family members. This melted the snake’s heart and she went near the girl. The girl got frightened when she saw the snake. The snake told her not to worry, as she won’t harm her. Instead, she felt sorry for killing her family members and promised to return their lives back. She offered some nectar to the girl and asked her to sprinkle on the dead bodies of her family members. The girl did the same and got her parents and brothers back. This story tells that worshiping snakes on Nag Panchami, can save us from every all troubles in life.

Nag Panchami: Custom Of Worshiping Snake Lord Idol At The Entrance

On the day of Nag Panchami or Naga Panchami, after doing all the household activities, people take bath and wear new clothes. At the door of Puja Sthan (place of worship), a model of snake is made using cow dung. The snake is then worshiped with rice, milk, Belpatra (Angelo Mermecus), Kusha grass and flowers. After completing these rituals, homemade sweets like Malpua (Indian doughnuts) and Ladoo (Indian sweet made of condiments) are offered to the snake. Sweet smelling flowers and sandalwood are also used while worshiping the Naag Devta, as it is believed that Lord Snake is very fond of sweet aroma. Doing Nag Panchami Puja reduces the effects of Kaal Sarp Yoga from the natives. As a part of Nag Panchami tradition, ploughing of fields and digging soil are strictly prohibited during the nearby days of Nag Panchami.

Let’s take a look how to observe Nagpanchami Vrat.

Nag Panchami: How To Observe Nag Panchami Vrat

Observing Nag Panchami Vrat helps in getting rid off all the sins and mistakes. You can earn the blessings of Lord Shiva and please the snake community with the observance of Nag Panchami Vrat. Let us read the correct rituals of this sacred day:

• Get up early morning before the sunrise
• After accomplishing all the daily activities, clean the Puja Sthan (place of worship) with Ganga Jal
• On a clean platform, place the photo of Lord Shiva and Nag Devta
• Worship Nag Devta with flowers, Durva grass, milk, rice, and sweets
• Place the self created models of snake on both the sides of the entrance of Puja room
• Chant Nag Stotra or Nag Mantra
• Visit Nag Devta temple and offer prayers
• In the evening, offer Kheer (sweet rice porridge) to the Nag Devta

Nag Panchami: Significance Of Nag Panchami Vrat

It is believed that worshiping the Goddess of knowledge and wisdom, Goddess Saraswati on Nagpanchami is very rewarding. On this very day, women worship Naag Devta (Lord Snake) with immense devotion and observe fast for the welfare and happiness of their family. Nag Panchami Vrat also ensures that no member of the family will ever become the victim of snake’s bite.

Nag Panchami: The Custom of Consuming Stale Food

According to the rituals of Nag Panchami, no food other than the one used for worshiping is prepared. Therefore, people prepare food one day prior to this festival and take stale food on Nag Panchami. To offer Bhog (sacred food) to the lord, Kheer (sweet rice porridge), Malpuas, Seviyan (vermicelli), Ladoo, and rice are prepared by the women of the house.

This was all about Nag Panchami. We hope that this informative article on Nagpanchami will help you in obtaining blessings of Lord Shiva and Nag Devta. Also, worship Goddess Mansa in Nag Panchami with pure faith and devotion and seek safety from snakes.

AstroCAMP wishes you all a Happy Nag Panchami..!