The Story Behind Nag Panchami

Since ancient times, people have worshipped nature, having recognized its role and importance in their life. Natural forces and entities like the Sun, Moon, trees, animals, rivers, oceans, and mountains were deeply connected to human existence and survival. The ancient Egyptians worshipped cats, dogs, crocodiles, scarab beetles, etc., while the Chinese worshipped lions and turtles. In India, Hindus worship snakes and cows even now.

 

Nag Panchami is an important Hindu festival that honors Nag Devtas or snake gods.

 

It falls on the 5th day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan (July-August). It is a major festival in many parts of the country, like South India, West Bengal, and Maharashtra. It is believed that snakes saved the human race from the wrath of demons and that the earth is balanced on the head of the serpent called Sheshnag, on whom Vishnu reclines. There are many interesting legends about the festival.

 

History of Nag Panchami

 

Long before the arrival of the Aryan race in India, the Naga clan lived in India. It was a very evolved clan, and the people worshipped snakes. Eventually, the Naga culture merged with Hinduism, and the Indo-Aryans also began to worship the snake gods. The major Nagas or snakes mentioned in the Puranas are Ananta, Vasuki, Shesh, Padma, Kanwal, Karkotak, Kalia, Aswatar, Takshak, Sankhpal, Dhritarashtra and Pingal. But some historians say that they were Naga kings of various kingdoms and not snakes. But people revered them as gods.

 

Hindus believe that the 1000-headed Sheshnag, who represents Eternity, holds the entire earth on its head. In Jainism and Buddhism, too, serpents are holy creatures. Some ancient texts claim that a cobra saved the life of Buddha and the Jain Muni, Parshwanath.

 

Ancient architecture testifies to the significance of snakes in Indian culture as well. There are images depicting the rituals of snake worship in the Ajanta caves. Indian literature has many stories about snakes. Kautilya, in his “Arthashastra,” has described cobras in great detail. People believe that worshipping snakes can protect them from snakebites. 

 

Nag Panchami vrat/fast finds mention in the Puranas. It is one of the most auspicious days of the year. As per the Bhavishya Purana, men bathe the snakes Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka, and Dhananjaya with milk on this day to ensure protection from snakes for their families. People do not plow fields on this day to avoid harming snakes.

 

Stories about Nag Panchami

 

There are many stories related to Nag Panchami. 

 

A popular legend says that Balram, the elder brother of Krishna, was the incarnation of Sheshnag on earth. Snakes also adorn Shiva’s neck. The fact that Nag Panchami occurs in the month of Shravan (the sacred month of Shiva) also reinforces Shiva’s connection with snakes.

 

Nag Panchami is also said to commemorate the encounter between Krishna and the dreaded serpent, Kaliya, which was terrorizing the villagers of Gokul. Krishna subdued it and danced on its head, after which the snake left Gokul forever.

 

Another legend talks about King Janamejaya’s Sarpa Satra, a powerful Yagna to kill the entire race of snakes, as the king of snakes, Takshaka, had killed Janamejaya’s father, King Parikshit. However, before the entire snake clan perished, Sage Astika intervened and persuaded the king to stop the Yagna. 

 

Another story claims that one day while tilling his land, a farmer killed some young serpents by mistake. The serpents’ mother killed the farmer and his family in revenge. The farmer’s daughter, who was praying to the Nagas, however, escaped. Her prayers helped restore the lives of her family members. Since then, people have been celebrating the festival in India. 

 

Nag Panchami Customs 

 

Devotees flock to temples that have shrines for the snake gods and offer milk and turmeric powder to the snake deities. In some places, live cobras are given a ritual bath in milk and fed rice. Women also participate in the celebrations. They arise early in the morning, take a bath and visit the nearest Snake temple with pots of milk and flowers as offerings. If a snake drinks milk, it is believed to bring good fortune.

 

In many parts of Bengal, people worship Manasa Devi, the Queen of Snakes. The snake Goddess is worshiped for protection from snakebites. Devotees offer raw milk and five plantains to the Goddess. Mostly, it is women who worship Goddess Manasa. This tradition still exists in some parts of Bengal. Another tradition is the smearing of red sandalwood paste on clay images of snakes and wooden boards. The images are usually in yellow or black color. 

 

In Punjab, a large dough snake is created and paraded around the villages. The parade is accompanied by singing and dancing. People bury the dough snake at the end of the parade to mark the end of the ritual. In Maharashtra, women offer milk, flowers, turmeric powder, and kumkum to the snakes that are carried by snake charmers. The snake charmers carry pots that contain the cobras to a central temple and free them, after which people worship them.

 

Other festivals in India that honor snakes are Naga Chaturthi and Nagula Chavithi.

 

Nag Panchami is on August 21 in 2023.