Nag Panchami 2023: Its Muhurta, History, and Significance

Nag Panchami is a revered festival where devotees worship the Snake God, or 'Nag Dev', seeking protection against snakes and serpents. This worship becomes particularly significant during the monsoon months.

Heavy rainfall during this period often floods the burrows or nests of snakes, compelling them to abandon their habitats temporarily. Such displacement can lead to increased encounters between snakes and humans, raising the risk of snake bites.

The importance of snakes in Hindu mythology is further emphasised by their association with Bhagwan Shiva. As a symbol of power and divinity, a snake is seen draped around Shiva's neck like a garland. His abode, the mountains and forests, are also considered natural habitats for snakes.

On Nag Panchami, apart from paying their respects to the Serpent Gods, devotees also offer prayers to Bhagwan Shiva. They beseech Him for protection against any harm from snakes. Additionally, in a gesture of reverence and understanding of the interconnectedness of all life forms, they make a solemn pledge. On this day, devotees commit to neither harming nor killing snakes, understanding the significance of these creatures in the cosmic scheme.

For a fruitful Nag Panchami Puja, it's crucial to gather the following items:

Snake Representation - A statue or image of a snake crafted from materials like silver, red soil, cow dung, wood, or stone. Alternatively, a painting of a snake can be used.

Offerings - Milk, sweets, fruits, and flowers.

Additional Items - Pulses, turmeric paste, camphor, sprouts, and incense sticks.

If you are performing the puja in a temple, you usually don't need a separate snake image as most temples have their own, often placed beneath a Peepal tree.

The ritual is generally led by women. Begin by offering a ceremonial milk bath to the snake statues or images.

After the milk bath, adorn the snake representations with turmeric paste and vermillion. Light the incense sticks as a mark of reverence.

Conclude by presenting the main offerings: sprouts, sweets, and fruits to the Nag dev.

1. King Janamejaya's Vengeance - King Janamejaya's father, Parikshit, was bitten and killed by the serpent king, Takshak. In retaliation, Janamejaya decided to exterminate all snakes through a powerful yagna (sacrificial fire).

Many snakes were drawn to this fire due to the chanting of powerful mantras. Takshak, however, sought protection from Lord Indra, but the force of the yagna even threatened Indra himself. To halt the yagna, the gods called upon Manasa Devi, the snake goddess.

She sent her son, Astika, to convince the king to stop the sacrifice. Using his profound knowledge, Astika persuaded King Janamejaya to cease the yagna on the Panchami of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan. This date became the annual celebration of Nag Panchami.

2. Shri Krishna and Kaliya - Another tale narrates how Shri Krishna defeated the menacing serpent, Kaliya, in Vrindavan, further establishing this day's significance.

A young girl lost her brother to a snake bite. Distraught, she fervently prayed to the serpent lord to resurrect her sibling. Moved by her devotion, the serpent god granted her wish. This event instilled the belief that Nag Panchami ensures the well-being and longevity of one's brothers.

A farmer inadvertently killed the offspring of a snake, or Nagin. In retaliation, the Nagin took the lives of the farmer's family but spared the daughter. When the Nagin returned for the daughter, she had prepared an offering of milk, sweets, and flowers, symbolizing peace and atonement. Touched by this gesture, the Nagin forgave and restored the lives of the farmer's family. This legend underscores the importance of seeking the serpent's blessings for family well-being.

It's believed in many regions that childless couples, particularly women, can seek the blessings of Nag Devta for offspring. By pleasing the serpent god through devotion, they hope to be blessed with a child.

1. Worshipping the Naag Devata - Devotees honor the Naag devata and his twelve primary avatars, namely: Shesha, Takshaka, Ananta, Kambala, Vasuki, Padma, Ashvartara, Karkotaka, Kaliya, Pingala, Shankhpala, and Dhritarashtra.

1. Offer Milk - Before personal consumption, it's essential to first offer milk to Nag Devta or in a Lord Shiva temple.

2. Consume Steamed or Boiled Food - For puja offerings, and personal meals, opt for foods that are steamed or boiled.

3. Break Fast Post-Puja - Once all the rituals are completed, devotees can end their fast.

1. Avoid Harm to Snakes - Activities such as plowing fields or cutting and burning trees or forests, which might harm snakes, should be refrained from.

2. Say No to Fried Foods - Refrain from preparing or consuming any kind of fried products or items on this day.

3. Avoid Certain Activities - Using an iron pan for cooking and threading a needle are considered inauspicious and should be avoided.

4. No Tilling - Farmers should desist from tilling their land to prevent any potential harm to snakes.