Nag Panchami, celebrated on the Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Sawan month, is on 9th August this year. Worshiping the snake deity on this day fulfills all the wishes and removes defects like Kalsarp Dosh from the horoscope. According to Jyotishacharya Parduman Suri, worshiping the snake deity removes the fear of misfortune caused by snakes. Also, if Rahu-Ketu are repeatedly creating troubles in a person’s horoscope, then worshiping the snake deity can get rid of these problems.
Best time to worship
It is considered most auspicious to worship the Snake deity during Pradosh Kaal (the time between dusk and nightfall). The most favorable time for special puja is from 12:30 pm to 1:00 pm. If you cannot perform the puja at this time, you can do so at any other time of the day.
Importance of this day
In Hinduism, snakes are worshipped as the serpent deity. The worship done for snakes reaches these deities. It is believed that in houses where snakes are worshipped on the day of Nag Panchami, there is no death due to snake bite.
Legends associated with Nag Panchami
According to a legend, Vasuki Naag was used as a rope during the Samudra Manthan. The festival of Nag Panchami was established to honor the contribution of the nagas. On this day Lord Krishna saved the people of Vrindavan from the deadly Kaliya Naag.
According to another legend, Arjuna’s grandson, King Parikshit’s son Janamejaya, was enraged at his father’s death from a snake bite. He performed the Sarpa Satra (snake sacrifice) yagna to destroy all snakes. Sage Astika stopped the yagna and poured raw milk on Takshaka (the snake) to save him from the fire. This act saved the lineage of snakes, which led to the tradition of offering milk to the snake deities on Nag Panchami.
According to another folk tale, a farmer’s family had two sons and a daughter. While plowing the field, the farmer accidentally killed three baby snakes with the plow. To take revenge, the female snake bit the farmer, his wife and both sons. The next day, the snake intended to bite the farmer’s daughter, but she offered him milk in a bowl and asked for forgiveness. The snake was pleased and revived the farmer and his family. This incident happened on Shukla Panchami.
What to do and what not to do to get the blessings of snakes
– Donate to the needy on Nag Panchami.
– Worshiping snakes and bathing the snakes with milk is considered sacred.
– Put a picture of a snake at the main entrance of the house or make a clay statue of a snake inside the house.
– Offer flowers, sweets and milk to the serpent god.
– Avoid ploughing fields or cutting trees on this day to avoid harming snakes.
