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FOR AGES 1 YEARS TO 99 YEARS
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As religious communities traditionally celebrate the day, it's observed worldwide where the devotees live. Some of the major countries where the festivities can be seen are India, Nepal, and other south Asian countries with Hindu populations.
It's a traditional Hindu festival wherein people worship the snake god, the Nag Devta, and pray for blessings from Lord Shiva as well as Lord Vishnu.
There are several references to this festival in Hindu scriptures and folklore. The root of the celebration is not known clearly, but the festival gained its popularity in India, dating back to 3,000 BCE since the Indian valley civilization.
According to Hindu mythology, there are several beliefs regarding snake gods. It revolves around Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva. It's believed that Lord Krishna killed Kaya Nag on Panchami Saavan month and saved the lives of Gokulvasis. It's said that the festival is traditionally celebrated every year on the Panchami Tithi (fifth day) in the month of Shravan (Hindu calendar) since the event.
There are various folk stories around this festival meant for the worship of real snakes and Lord Shiva. One such story states that a farmer had two sons, one of his sons killed three snakes during ploughing. The mother of the snakes took revenge by biting the farmer, his wife, and two children. The only surviving daughter saw her family die due to a snake bite. She apologized to the mother snake and offered her milk. The mother snake sucked back the venom and bought them back to life.
Stories aside, here are some important aspects related to the history of Nag Panchami:
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The devotees perform various rituals as part of the Nag Panchami puja. As part of the festivities of Nag Panchami puja, women of the community abstain from food and observe fasting on this day. People visit temples, offer multiple sweets and bathe the snake god idols with milk, paying obeisances to the deities. People dress up in new clothes and there are special mantras to be recited during the Nag Panchami puja dedicated to the nag devta. In some parts, along with milk, rice puddings is also offered. Flowers like lotus placed in a silver bowl are also observed today; the devotees' design rangoli resembling a five hooded snake on the floor using turmeric or cow dung as paint. There is a temple dedicated to the snake god or Nag Devta on the third floor of Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. The doors of that temple are opened on this one day only.
Visit nearby temples to offer prayers. A variety of foods can be prepared for this auspicious ceremony. The snakes can be fed with the help of snake charmers. Snakes could be dangerous; so it's important to take precautions for your safety. Fasting can also be observed on this day to please the snake god.
Nag Panchami is also known as Nag Puja.
In India, Nag Panchami is celebrated in the monsoon season (July/August) when the snakes venture out of their hiding spaces due to rains and floods.
Nag Panchami is celebrated all across the country, but the celebration can be majorly observed in several regions of Maharashtra.
It's believed that pleasing the serpents on Nag Panchami brings good fate and prosperity to the devotees.
People tend to have psychological relief by doing these rituals on Nag Panchami.
According to Hindu mythology and folktales, Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrated in honor of Nag Devta or snake gods. The festival's name is derived from the word Nag, which means snake or serpent, and Panchami is the fifth day of the fifteen days of the moon's waxing and waning. It's most significantly celebrated to protect the devotees from snake bites and eliminate fear and harm.
Nag Panchami Puja happens every year in July or August. It's celebrated on the fifth day of the lunar month in Shravan in the Hindu calendar.
Naga Chavithi or Naga Chaturthi is observed on the fourth day after Deepavali Amavasya. Nagasashthi is another similar event to Nag Panchami. Nagsashtithi and Nag Panchami are observed after Nag Chathurthi.
Nag Panchami is a festival that honors Hindu deities, and it's believed that celebrating Nag Panchami eliminates one of all sins and gets him the blessings of divine beings.
Devotees of Lord Shiva and Vishnu observe Nag Panchami with great reverence and vitality.
| Date | Day |
|---|---|
| January 01, 1970 | Thursday |
| January 01, 1970 | Thursday |
| February 19, 2022 | Saturday |
| January 01, 1970 | Thursday |
| September 19, 2024 | Thursday |
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At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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