🐍 Naga Panchami Puja – Worship of the Serpent Deities

Naga Panchami is a traditional Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Nagas (serpent deities). It is observed on the fifth day (Panchami) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the moon) in the month of Shravana (July–August), according to the Hindu calendar.

🐍 Significance of Naga Panchami

  • Snakes (Nagas) are considered sacred and divine in Hinduism.
  • They are closely associated with deities like Lord Shiva (who wears Vasuki around his neck), Lord Vishnu (who rests on Sheshnag), and Subrahmanya (Karttikeya).
  • Worshiping Nagas is believed to protect against snake bites, remove sarpa dosha (serpent-related afflictions) in horoscopes, and bring fertility, prosperity, and harmony.

📜 Mythological Background

  • According to the Mahabharata, Naga Panchami marks the day when Astika Muni stopped King Janamejaya from annihilating the serpent race during the Sarpa Satra (snake sacrifice).
  • In another legend, Lord Krishna subdued Kaliya Naag on this day.

🛕 Naga Panchami Puja Rituals

🧹 1. House Preparation

  • Homes are cleaned and decorated with rangoli, especially snake designs at doorways.
  • In rural areas, snake pits (ant-hills or termite mounds) are worshipped directly.

🎨 2. Naga Symbolism

  • Clay or silver images of snakes are made or bought from the market.
  • Alternatively, images of snakes are drawn on walls using sandalwood, turmeric, or charcoal.

🙏 3. Puja Steps

  1. Invoking the Nagas with mantras and offering water.
  2. Milk Abhishekam (bathing): Snakes (real or symbolic) are offered milk, honey, turmeric, and flowers.
  3. Naivedya (food offering): Rice pudding (kheer), fruits, and durva grass.
  4. Mantra Chanting:

“Om Sarpa Devaya Namah”
“Ananta Vasuki Shesha Padmanabha Mahabala
Kambala Shankapala Dhritarashtra Takshaka Kaliya Namah”

  1. Aarti and circumambulation of the image or pit.

🌿 4. Fasting & Charity

  • Many devotees, especially women, observe fasts and offer food to Brahmins or snake charmers.
  • Special vows for protection of brothers and family are taken by sisters.

🐍 Popular Nagas Worshipped

  • Ananta / Shesha – Infinite serpent of Vishnu
  • Vasuki – Coiled around Shiva
  • Takshaka – Mentioned in Mahabharata
  • Kaliya – Subdued by Krishna
  • Padmanabha, Karkotaka, Manasa Devi (in Bengal)

⚠️ Traditional Beliefs

  • Digging the earth or plowing fields is avoided on this day, as it may hurt snakes.
  • It’s believed that feeding snakes, or even offering milk to termite mounds, brings blessings.

🌍 Regional Variations

  • Maharashtra & Karnataka: Women worship anthills and offer milk and flowers.
  • Tamil Nadu: Observed during Aadi Panchami; temples of Subrahmanya (Murugan) are crowded.
  • West Bengal: Worship of Manasa Devi, the snake goddess.
  • Kerala: Celebrated as Aayilyam Nombu, especially in serpent groves.

🙌 Spiritual Message

Naga Panchami teaches us reverence for nature, the interconnectedness of all beings, and respect for the hidden divine energies of the earth.