Nag Panchami: worshipping the divine serpent energy

India is a land of festivals. Every festival has a meaning behind it. Some are for gods, some for nature, and some for animals. One such unique and special festival is Nag Panchami. On this day, people all over India worship snakes, especially nag (नाग), or cobras.

Snakes are considered divine in Hindu culture. People believe that Nag Devta (snake god) protects us from evil, danger, and illness. That’s why this day has so much importance, especially in villages and farming communities.

What is Nag Panchami?

Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival that is celebrated in the Shravan (श्रावण) month, which usually comes in July or August. The festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month, and that is why it is called "Panchami," for the number five.

People offer milk, flowers, sweets, and prayer to snakes on this day. If people cannot find snakes, they use a picture or clay idol of the snake. It is believed that praying to snakes on this day brings peace, health, and protection from snake bites.

Nag Panchami Date

In 2025, Nag Panchami will be celebrated on July 29. According to the Hindu calendar, the Panchami tithi (fifth lunar day) begins late at night on July 28 at 11:24 PM and ends on July 30 at 12:46 AM. The best time to do the Nag Panchami puja is during the morning hours on July 29, from 5:41 AM to 8:23 AM. This is the most sacred time for offering prayers and doing the rituals.

In Gujarat, the Nag Panchami festival is celebrated on a different day. There, it will be celebrated on August 13, 2025, following local customs and traditions.

The Nag Panchami date changes every year based on the Hindu calendar. So, families commonly check their local panchang (calendar) to find the exact day.

Why Do We Celebrate Nag Panchami?

There are many stories from our old scriptures and legends that explain it. One story is about Lord Krishna. When he was a child, he fought a giant poisonous snake named Kaliya (कालिया), who had made the Yamuna river poisonous. Krishna jumped into the river and danced on Kaliya’s head, forcing him to leave. People believe this event happened around Nag Panchami.

Another story tells about a farmer who accidentally killed some baby snakes while digging his field. Later, the mother snake bit his family. Only the daughter survived. She prayed to Nag Devta, offered milk, and asked for forgiveness. The snake blessed her and brought her family back to life.

So this festival teaches us to respect all living creatures, even those we fear.

Nag Panchami Significance

The Nag Panchami significance is in our connection with nature. Snakes are powerful symbols in the Hindu religion. Lord Shiva wears a snake around his neck. Lord Vishnu sleeps on the serpent Sheshnag (शेषनाग). Even in temples, you’ll see nag (नाग) carved into walls or idols placed.

Snakes also play a role in farming. They eat rats and pests that damage crops. Farmers in earlier times knew this and respected snakes as helpers of the earth. That’s one more reason why this day is important in rural areas.

How to Do Nag Panchami Puja at Home

The Nag Panchami puja vidhi is simple. You can do it at home with basic items:

1. First, clean a small corner in your home.
   

2. Draw a snake on a wall or paper using haldi (turmeric) or kumkum (vermilion).
   

3. Offer milk, rice, flowers, and sweets to the snake drawing or idol.
   

4. Light a diya (lamp) and agarbatti (incense stick).
   

5. Say a small prayer asking for protection and peace.
   

6. You can also recite the Nag mantra or just offer your prayers silently.

Nag Panchami Rituals in Different Areas

People follow different Nag Panchami rituals depending on where they live. In some places, they visit temples. In others, they make snake shapes outside their homes using rangoli or wheat flour.

Some women keep a fast on this day and tie a sacred thread called raksha sutra for protection. In villages, snake charmers (सपेरे) bring live snakes. People offer milk and coins to them. But now, many avoid live snake pujas to protect animals from harm, which is a good step.

Naga Panchami Festival Across India

The Naga Panchami festival is celebrated differently in every state:

• In Maharashtra, women draw snakes at the entrance of their homes and do aarti.
  

• In Karnataka, people visit ancient snake temples and pray.
  

• In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, fairs and cultural shows are organized.
  

• In Nagpur and Ujjain, big celebrations are organized with music and dance.

Snake Puja in India

Snake puja in India might sound strange to outsiders, but for Indians, it’s a tradition filled with meaning. It teaches us that even dangerous creatures deserve a place in this world. Instead of fearing snakes, our culture asks us to show them respect. 

This keeps a balance between humans and nature. By offering milk and doing puja, we also remind ourselves to live peacefully with all beings.

What You Need for the Puja (Nag Panchami Puja Samagri)

To do the puja, you need only a few things. Here is the basic Nag Panchami puja samagri:

• Milk
  

• Rice or puffed rice
  

• Turmeric and Kumkum
  

• Flowers
  

• Diya (oil lamp)
  

• Agarbatti (incense)

• A snake drawing or small idol

Conclusion

Nag Panchami is not just a religious festival. It teaches us many things about respecting animals, valuing nature, and staying connected to old traditions.

This festival helps us understand that every living creature, even snakes, has a purpose in the world. When we offer prayers on this day, we are saying thank you to the powers that protect us.

If you go to a temple or do a small puja at home, do it with a clean heart. Keep the tradition alive and pass it on with love.

To find all your Nag Panchami puja samagri, like incense sticks, dhoop, and more, visit Cycle.in.