Nag Panchami is the first divine festival of the auspicious month of Shravan. As the name suggests, it is celebrated on Shravan Shukla Panchami (29 July, 2025), the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan. On this sacred day, women observe a fast, adorn themselves with new clothes and jewellery, and worship Nag Devata (the Serpent Deity), seeking health, prosperity, and protection for their brothers. Ritualistic worship on this occasion is believed to remove fear of snakes and safeguard from snake-bites.
1. Cessation of the Sarpa Yajna : King Janamejaya once performed the Sarpa Yajna (sacrifice of snakes) to annihilate serpents. Sage Astik intervened, appeased the king, and requested him to stop the yajna. This divine act took place on Shravan Shukla Panchami, marking the origin of Nag Panchami.
2. The Day of Kaliya Mardan : On this sacred day, Shri Krishna subdued the venomous serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna River and freed the waters from its poison, symbolizing the victory of Dharma over Adharma.
3. Goddess Satyeshwari’s Vision : In the ancient times, Goddess Satyeshwari’s brother, Satyeshwar, died on the eve of Nag Panchami. In grief, she saw him in the form of a cobra on Panchami day. Since then, Nag Devata promised protection to all women who worship Him as their brother. Thus, women began worshipping Nag Devata on this day.
4. Blessings of Bhagwan Shiva : During the Samudra Manthan, Bhagwan Shiva consumed the deadly Halahal poison. Nine snakes rushed to aid Him. Pleased, Shiva blessed them, declaring that mankind would eternally worship them in gratitude. These nine sacred serpents, known as the Navanag, embody divine pavitraks (subtlemost particles of divinity).
5. Bhagwan Shiva ingested the halahal poison that emerged from the samudra manthan. 9 types of snakes then rushed to help Him. A pleased Shiva then blessed the snakes that mankind would remain eternally grateful and worship snakes for their contribution in saving creation from the all consuming halahal poison. So mankind has worshipped snakes to express gratitude. The Navanag comprise of the nine major groups of pavitraks. Pavitraks are the subtlemost Divine particles.
