Nag Panchami is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm in various parts of India and Nepal. It is dedicated to worshipping Nagas, the serpent deities in Hindu mythology. It is said that this festival is celebrated to Honor snake god Naga.This auspicious occasion holds immense cultural and religious significance, as people pay their respects to snakes, considering them as divine beings. Nag Panchami falls on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravana, which usually occurs in July or August. This year Nag Panchami will be held on Monday, August 21, 2023.

ALSO READ- SHRAVAN MAAS - HAIL TO LORD SHIVA

There are many stories behind the celebration of Nag Panchami some of which are Lord Krishna saved the inhabitants of Gokul from the wrath of the venomous serpent Kaliya. The myth narrates how young Krishna defeated Kaliya and danced on its hood to subdue its malevolence. The victory over Kaliya signifies the triumph of good over evil. This legendary event played a crucial role in establishing the reverence and worship of snakes in Hindu culture. And the other recites as Lord Shiva, one of the trinity, wears snake (Vasuki) around his neck and body, signifying their importance and protection. The serpent god Vasuki is believed to be Lord Shiva's sacred snake, and Nag Panchami celebrates this connection. The festival also finds mention in the epic Mahabharata. Vasuki also played a major role in Samudra Manthan or churning of the ocean. Serpent Shesha Naga is also mentioned in many purans who lives with Lord Vishnu and took reincarnation in the form of Laxman in Treta yug as younger brother of Lord Ram and Balaram in Dwapar yug as elder brother of Lord Krishna. 

ALSO READ - Guru Purnima - Respect to our Gurus

On Nag Panchami, devotees observe various rituals to honor the serpent gods. The day begins with devotees taking a holy bath and wearing clean clothes. They visit temples or snake pits and offer prayers to Nagas, seeking their blessings and protection. Idols or images of snakes are also worshipped with Lord shiva’s Pooja or worshipping shivlinga and adorned with flowers, milk, turmeric, and vermilion.

Milk is considered a sacred offering to snakes, and devotees often pour it into snake holes or near ant hills, as these are believed to be the abodes of serpents. Some individuals even keep live snakes in earthen pots or metal boxes and perform rituals with them. However, in recent times, there has been a growing emphasis on celebrating Nag Panchami without harming or capturing snakes, promoting the conservation and protection of these creatures.

ALSO READ - Mystical Manifestations: Exploring the Avatars of Lord Shiva