Nag Panchami 2017 Date: Importance, Significance, History of The Auspicious Snake Festival

Nag Panchami falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the lunar day in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar.

Updated: July 26, 2017 6:55 PM IST

By Nithya Nair

Nag Panchami 2017 Date: Importance, Significance, History of The Auspicious Snake Festival

The Hindu festival of Nag Panchami which worships snakes is celebrated in several parts of India. This year, Nag Panchami will be celebrated in most states on July 27. The auspicious day falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the lunar day in the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated by worshipping snakes by offering milk in return of blessings. Special pujas are also conducted on the day for snakes. Sweets and flowers are also offered to serpents with special mantras being chanted. Snake deities and idols are also bathed in milk and worshiped on the day of Nag Panchami. The day is also known as Garuda Panchami in some places with people praying to eagles to protect them from snakes. Panchami falls on the fifth day among the fifteen days of the moon’s waxing, hence the name Nag Panchami. Nag Panchami 2017 Wishes: Best Messages, Quotes, Happy Nag Panchami WhatsApp GIF & Greetings to Celebrate Sawan Month Festival.

There are various myths and stories surrounding the beginning of the practice in Hindu tradition. According to one of them, the day is celebrated in the victory of Lord Krishna over Kaliya, an enormous black serpent which was killed in the River Yamuna. According to beliefs of followers, Lord Krishna defeated the snake during the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan in Vrindavan. While according to some stories, Lord Brahma created sheshnag (King of snakes) on this day hence the celebration. According to certain beliefs, ancestors take the form of snakes on this day due to which it is a widely celebrated festival. Some fast one day before Nag Panchami which is called Nag Chaturthi or Nagul Chavithi. Nag Panchami Songs in Hindi and Marathi: Celebrate Naag Panchami 2017 Puja or Snake Festival with Interesting Movie Videos.

While snakes, in general, are worshiped on this day, twelve snakes, in particular, are prayed to by people who follow the custom and tradition. Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, Karkotaka, Ashvatara, Dhritarashtra, Shankhapala, Kaliya, Takshaka, and Pingala are the twelve snakes that find mention in the Hindu scriptures. Popular places where Nag Panchami is celebrated include Adiesha Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Nagaraja Temple in Kerala, Nagathamman Temple in Chennai and Hardevja Temple in Jaipur. Nag Panchami 2017 Puja Muhurat: Vidhi, Mantras in Hindi to celebrate Snake Festival

Snakes are also worshiped due to its association with Hindu Gods including Shiva, Vishnu and Subramanya. It is also widely celebrated in Nepal mainly due to a popular story of a Gardua and a great serpent. The festival is also held in the honor of the great serpent on the coils of which Lord Vishnu is resting between the Universe, according to Hindu mythology. It is believed that prayers offered to snakes would reach the serpent Gods. In Andhra Pradesh, Nag Panchami is also known as Nag Chaturthi or Nagul Chavithi which coincides with Soora Samharam in Tamil Nadu which has festivities for six days. The state of Gujarat celebrates Nah Panchami 15 days after most other states due to the new moon lunar calendar which is followed there.

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