Naga Panchami

Naga Panchami

Naga Panchami is a traditional Hindu festival celebrated in honor of the serpent deities, known as Nagas. It is observed on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravana, which typically falls in July or August in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is particularly significant in India and Nepal, where it is celebrated with various rituals and customs.

Significance

Naga Panchami holds great religious and cultural importance in Hinduism. The Nagas are considered powerful and divine beings, often associated with water bodies, fertility, and protection. They are revered as protectors of the earth and are believed to bring prosperity and good fortune.

The festival is also linked to the monsoon season, as snakes are more visible during this time due to the rains. Worshiping the Nagas is believed to ensure protection from snake bites and other calamities.

Rituals and Customs

On Naga Panchami, devotees perform various rituals to honor the serpent deities:

• Worship of Snake Idols: Devotees visit temples dedicated to Nagas or install snake idols at home. They offer milk, flowers, turmeric, and rice to the idols as a form of worship.

• Drawing of Snake Images: In some regions, people draw images of snakes on the walls of their homes using a mixture of cow dung and clay. These images are then worshipped with offerings.

• Fasting and Prayers: Many devotees observe a fast on this day and recite prayers and mantras dedicated to the Nagas. The "Naga Gayatri Mantra" is commonly chanted.

• Traditional Dances and Songs: In certain areas, traditional dances and songs are performed to celebrate the festival. These performances often depict stories and legends associated with the Nagas.

Regional Variations

Naga Panchami is celebrated with different customs and traditions across various regions:

• In Maharashtra: Women apply haldi-kumkum to snake idols and offer milk. They also tie a thread around the idol as a symbol of protection.

• In Karnataka: The festival is known as "Nagara Panchami," and people visit anthills, which are considered abodes of snakes, to offer prayers and milk.

• In Nepal: Naga Panchami is a major festival, and people place pictures of Nagas above their doors to ward off evil spirits.

Mythological Stories

Several mythological stories are associated with Naga Panchami:

• The Story of Lord Krishna: One popular legend involves Lord Krishna subduing the serpent Kaliya, who was poisoning the Yamuna River. Krishna danced on Kaliya's hood, forcing him to leave the river and restore its purity.

• The Story of Astika: Another tale tells of Astika, a young Brahmin boy, who stopped the sacrifice of snakes by King Janamejaya. This event is believed to have occurred on Naga Panchami.

Also see

• Hindu Festivals
• Serpent Worship
• Shravana (month)
• Krishna
• Mythology of India