Nag Panchami

 

Nag Panchami is one of the major Hindu festivals of India. On this day, the snakes residing around the neck of Lord Shiva are worshipped. Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Shravan month.

Worshiping snakes on this day brings happiness, prosperity and health in life. Besides this, one also gets relief from Kaal Sarp Dosha. On the holy festival of Nag Panchami, a huge fair is organized at a place called Nag Kuan in Varanasi/Kashi. Generally, this festival is celebrated two days after Hariyali Teej.

 

Importance of Nag Panchami

 

• Freedom from Kaalsarp Dosh: Worshiping snakes on the day of Nag Panchami gives relief from Kaalsarp Dosh. Kaalsarp Dosh is a type of astrological defect that can cause many difficulties in life.

 

• Attainment of happiness, prosperity and health: Worshiping snakes on the day of Nag Panchami brings happiness, prosperity and health in life. Serpents are considered protectors of the earth, hence worshipping them removes all kinds of obstacles in life.

 

• Respect towards snakes: On the day of Nag Panchami, we show respect towards snakes by worshipping them. Serpents are considered to be the kings of the underworld of the earth, hence by worshipping them we get their blessings.

 

What to do on the day of Nag Panchami

Snake Gods are worshipped on this day. A person gets special benefits by doing the following things on the day of Nag Panchami:

Keep a fast: By keeping a fast on the day of Nag Panchami, a person gets freedom from Kaalsarp Dosh. To keep the fast, wake up early in the morning, take a bath and wear clean clothes. Then, install the idol or picture of the serpent god in the home temple. Offer milk, curd, ghee, honey, flowers, incense, lamps and other worship materials to the idol. After this, perform Aarti of Nag Devta and pray. Eat satvik food during the fast and remain silent throughout the day. Worshipping snake deities on the day of Nag Panchami brings happiness, prosperity and health in life. Install the idol or picture of Nag Devta in the home temple for worship. Offer milk, curd, ghee, honey, flowers, incense, lamps and other worship materials to the idol. After this, perform Aarti of Nag Devta and pray. Chant the mantras of Nag Panchami: Chanting the mantras of Nag Panchami on the day of Nag Panchami gives special benefits to the person. Some of the mantras of Nag Panchami are:

Om Kuru Kulle Phat Swaha

Om Nagarajaya Namah

Om Sarparajaya Namah

 

Snakes need to survive

 

A snake is a creature that people are often afraid of. However, snakes have an important place in our ecosystem. They prove to be helpful to farmers by eating insects and rats that damage crops.

 

The following are the benefits of snakes:

 

• Pest control: Snakes protect crops by eating insects and rats that damage crops. According to a study, a snake can eat about 100 rats per day.

 

• Controlling the reproduction of insects: Snakes protect crops from damage by controlling the reproduction of insects.

 

• Maintaining ecological balance: Snakes help in maintaining ecological balance. They are predators and also eat other animals.

 

Why do we celebrate Nag Panchami?

 

There are many reasons behind celebrating Nag Panchami

• Story of Mahabharata: According to Mahabharata, King Parikshit died due to the bite of the Takshak snake. His son Janamejaya performed a yagya to kill serpents to avenge his father’s death. Aastik Muni stopped this yajna and protected the snakes. Celebrating the festival of Nag Panchami started on this day.

 

• Worship of snakes: In Hindu religion, snakes are considered gods. They are symbols of wealth, prosperity and salvation. By worshipping snake deities on the day of Nag Panchami, a person gets all these benefits.

 

• Respect towards snakes: The festival of Nag Panchami is also an opportunity to show respect towards snakes. Snakes play an important role in our ecosystem. They protect crops by controlling pests. One should avoid killing snakes on the day of Nag Panchami.

 

There are many stories behind Nag Panchami, but the most famous story is the story of Lord Krishna and Kaliya Naag.

 

According to Mahabharata, Lord Krishna lived in Gokul in his childhood. One day, he was playing with his friends in the river Yamuna. Then his ball fell into a pool of the river. Krishna jumped into the pool to collect the ball. Kaliya Naag lived in that pond. Kaliya Naag was very big and powerful. Seeing Krishna he attacked him.

 

Krishna fought with Kaliya Naga and defeated him. Kaliya Naag apologized to Krishna and said that he would no longer trouble the residents of Gokul. Krishna forgave Kaliya Naga.

 

Nag Panchami is celebrated to commemorate the victory of Krishna over Kaliya Naga. By worshipping snake gods on this day, a person gets freedom from Kaalsarp Dosh. Apart from this, by worshipping snake deities on this day, a person attains wealth, prosperity and salvation.

 

Serpents were born from Rishi Kashyap and Kadru.

 

In the Hindu religion, snakes are considered gods. They are symbols of wealth, prosperity and salvation. There is an interesting story behind the birth of snakes.

According to Mahabharata, sage Kashyap had 13 wives. One of them was Kadru. Kadru demanded a thousand snake sons from Kashyap. Kashyap kept his full wish. One thousand snakes were born from Kadru’s eggs. From these were eight snake charmers. Their names are- Vasuki, Takshak, Kulak, Karkotak, Padma, Shankha, Chud, Mahapadma and Dhananjay.

 

Vasuki is considered the king of serpents. They are the vehicles of Lord Vishnu. Takshak Naga danced to King Parikshit. After this incident, King Janmejaya organized a yagya to kill the snakes. To stop this Yagya, Aastik Muni bathed the snakes.

 

Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrated to worship snakes. By worshipping snake deities on this day, a person attains spiritual, mental and physical grandeur.

 

Nag Panchami 2024 is on Friday, August 9, 2024