Nag Panchami 2023 Date

Shukla Paksha Panchami tithi during Sawan month is observed as Nag Panchami. Normally Nag Panchami day falls two days after Hariyali Teej. Nag Panchami falls in month of July and August as per English calendar. Women worship Snakes on this day or Nag Devta, offer milk to them on this day and pray for the wellbeing of their brothers and family.

Nag Panchami (Hindi: नाग पंचमी) is a traditional worship of serpent Gods observed by Hindus in the whole of India and also in Nepal especially by married ladies. Some days are considered significant to worship serpent Gods and Panchami Tithi especially during Shravan month is considered highly auspicious to worship serpent Gods. Shirale village in Maharashtra is famous for traditional worship of Snake Gods

The legend about Naga Panchami

Nag Panchami festival legend is mentioned in Hindu scriptures. The Nagas were born of the third wife of Kashyap who is the son of Brahma – the creator. As per Hindu Puranas, son of Lord Brahma, Rishi Kashyap had 4 wives. First wife gave birth to Devatas, second one gave birth to Garuda, and fourth one brought Daityas (demons) into this world. The third one was Kadru who had a connection with Naga Vansh. She had created the Nagas.

So, the Nagas were regarded as stepbrothers to the gods or the Devatas. It is believed that Snakes rule the underworld or the Patal loka. Eight major Nag's or Snakes have been described in the scriptures. Anant, Vasuki, Padma, Mahapadma, Takshak, Kuleer, Karkata, and Shankha. There is a story of Kaliya, an evil Snake. Sri Krishna defeated Kaliya and danced on his head, putting an end to his misdeeds. Krishna defeated Kaliya on the day of Nag Panchami.

It is also thought that the Nagas tribe lived during the Indus Valley civilization and worshipped snakes. Later Nagas were absorbed in the Aryan population and rituals adopted came to be celebrated as Nag Panchami. Nepali Hindus also celebrate Nag Panchami. As per legend, Kathmandu valley used to be a lake occupied by the snakes or the Nagas. When people tried to live here, the Nagas got furious and angry. So, they were worshipped and given special places of ritualistic significance to live in.

It is believed that any Puja offered to snakes on this day of Naga Panchami would reach to the serpent Gods. Thus people worship live snakes on the day as representative of serpents Gods who are revered and worshipped in Hinduism. There are many serpent Gods, but there are twelve Snakes that are worshipped during Nag Panchami Puja whose names are as follows:

Ananta

Vasuki

Shesha

Padma

Kambala

Karkotaka

Ashvatara

Dhritarashtra

Shankhapala

Kaliya

Takshaka

Pingala

Nag Panchami Puja Mantra

सर्वे नागाः प्रीयन्तां मे ये केचित् पृथ्वीतले।

ये च हेलिमरीचिस्था येऽन्तरे दिवि संस्थिताः॥

ये नदीषु महानागा ये सरस्वतिगामिनः।

ये च वापीतडगेषु तेषु सर्वेषु वै नमः॥

Mantra Translation - May the snakes who are staying in this world, sky, heaven, sun-rays, lakes, wells, ponds etc. bless us and we all salute them.

अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कम्बलम्।

शङ्ख पालं धृतराष्ट्रं तक्षकं कालियं तथा॥

एतानि नव नामानि नागानां च महात्मनाम्।

सायङ्काले पठेन्नित्यं प्रातःकाले विशेषतः।

तस्य विषभयं नास्ति सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत्॥

Mantra Translation - The names of nine Nag Devtas are Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padmanabha, Kambala, Shankhapala, Dhritarashtra, Takshaka and Kaliya. If chanted regularly every day in the morning, will keep you protected from all evils and make you victorious in life.

Nag Chaturthi

Some people fast one day before Nag Panchami and that day is known as Nag Chaturthi or Nagul Chavithi. Nag Chaturthi or Nagul Chavithi is observed just after Diwali and coincides with six days long festivity of Soora Samharam in Tamil Nadu.

Nag Pancham

Nag Panchami is observed and celebrated 15 days later than other states in Gujarat. Nag Panchami falls during Krishna Paksha Panchami of Shravana month. Nag Panchami is more popularly known as Nag Pancham in Gujarat and usually observed three days before Krishna Janmashtami festival.

Bola Choth or Bol Choth in Gujarat

Bola Choth is celebrated one day before Nag Pancham day in Gujarat . Bola Choth is also known as Bahula Chauth and falls one day before Nag Pancham day. Cattles especially cows are worshipped on Bol Choth day.

Nag Panchami Significance

Snakes are considered as the deity since ancient times as per Hindu beliefs. So, worshipping Nag Devta or Snakes has special significance on the day of Naga Panchami.

It is believed that the one who worships snakes on this day gets rid of the fear of snakes and serpents.

It is believed that bathing and feeding snakes with milk along with worshiping them makes the devotee fortunate and blessed with divine blessings.

Nag Panchami festival is special for snake charmers as they get money and milk for snakes.

Snakes are also drawn on the door of the home as a ritual as it's often said that their homes would be safe by the grace of snakes.

Happy Nag Panchami everyone! Nag Panchami ki Hardik Shubhkamnaye