Patna: Celebrated annually on the fifth day of the bright half of the Sawan month, Nag Panchami holds deep religious significance in Hindu tradition. Today, under the auspicious alignment of Uttaraphalguni Nakshatra, Shiva Yoga and Ravi Yoga, worshippers are performing elaborate rituals in honour of the snake gods—seen as sacred companions of Lord Shiva.
According to Hindu scriptures, particularly the Bhavishya Purana, twelve prominent serpents—Anant, Vasuki, Shesh, Padmanabh, Kambal, Karkotaka, Ashwa, Dhritarashtra, Shankhpal, Kaliya, and Takshak are venerated on this day. Astrologer explains that Lord Shiva’s affinity for serpents makes their worship during Sawan especially auspicious.
As part of the traditional observances, clay or flour idols of snakes are crafted and adorned with colours before being worshipped with offerings of milk, curd, kheer, lava (puffed rice), durva grass, flowers, and incense. Devotees chant the mantra “Om Bhujangeshaya Vidmahe, Sarparajaya Dheemahi, Tanno Nagah Prachodayat” to seek relief from Kalsarp Dosh—an astrological condition believed to cause misfortunes.
In the Mithila region, families mark the day by worshipping their Kuldevi (family goddess) along with the snake deity, offering traditional sweets like kheer and mahiaur (khorjaur) as prasad. Rituals often include singing devotional songs and offering red chunaris, seasonal fruits, and floral garlands.
Meanwhile, households in the Magadh region adorn their homes with neem leaves and prepare an array of festive dishes including malpua, dalpuri, and ripe jackfruit. These are offered to their Ishtadev (personal deity) before being shared among family members.
In Northern India, the day is also dedicated to the worship of Mansa Devi, revered as the goddess of snakes. Especially prominent in Bengal and Odisha, temples see a surge of devotees performing rituals and seeking the goddess’s protection from snake-related afflictions.
Rudrabhishek—a ceremonial bathing of Shiva’s lingam—is another key ritual associated with the day. As per the Puranas, Sheshnag is believed to support the Earth on his hoods, underscoring the cosmic importance of snake worship. Some regions also mark the day as Garuda Panchami, where Garuda, the mythological eagle and enemy of serpents, is also worshipped in a gesture of spiritual balance.
