Naga Panchami in 2024

Naga Panchami is a day of traditional worship of nagas or snakes (which are associated with the mythical Nāga beings) observed by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists throughout Nepal, and other countries where Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist adherents live.

The worship is offered on the fifth day of bright half of lunar month of Shravana, according to the Hindu calendar. Typically, it falls in late July or early August. Some Indian states, such as Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, celebrate Naga Panchami on the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the same month

The core of Nag Panchami celebrations revolve around rituals that seek the blessings of the serpent deities and aim to appease them. Devotees throng temples dedicated to Nāgas, offering milk, flowers, and fruits. It’s believed that milk, a symbol of purity and nourishment, pleases the Nāgas, ensuring protection and blessings for the devotees. Homes often have images or idols of serpent deities, where rituals are performed with utmost devotion. In some regions, live snakes are also worshiped, and then they are released into their natural habitat as a mark of respect.

In Hindu mythology, Nāgas aren’t just ordinary snakes. They are powerful entities, often depicted as half-human and half-serpent, residing in the magnificent underwater city of Patala. These deities are considered protectors of treasures, guardians of springs, wells, and rivers, and are also associated with fertility and prosperity. Legends like that of Lord Vishnu resting on the serpent deity Shesha Naga, or the tale of Lord Shiva adorning Naga Vasuki around his neck, highlight the reverence and significance of Nāgas in Hindu cosmology.

In the Mahabharata epic, the sage Astika stops King Janamejaya from sacrificing and eventually decimating the serpent race (Sarpa Satra). This sacrifice was attempted by Janamejaya to avenge the death of his father Parikshita, who was killed by Takshaka, the king of the snakes.

The sacrifice was stopped was halted by the intervention of Astika, Manasdevi’s son, leading to the resurrection of the consumed serpents. This act of forgiveness and redemption laid the foundation for Nag Panchami .

Today, instead of fearing these creatures, devotees offer milk, sweets, flowers, and roasted paddy to snake deities, often represented by idols, wood, or pictures, showcasing the transformation of fear into reverence.