Naag Panchami: Story and Worship Methods

Keeping fast and offering prayer on the day of Naag Panchmi is fruitful. Naag Panchami is celebrated on Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Shravan Maas, every year with faith and confidence. Many Dant Kathae(well-known old stories) are prevalent. Out of which, here is one. It is considered auspicious to do self-study or listen to these stories. Additionally, worshipping snakes should be done systematically.

Story of Farmer and Serpent

In the context of Naag Panchami, many stories are famous. As per one of the stories, a farmer lived in a state with his two sons and one daughter. One day while ploughing the field, three children of snakes came under it and died. After the death of Naag(male snake), at first, Naagin(female snake) expressed sorrow by mourning, then, planned to take revenge on the murderer of its sons.

In the darkness of night, Naagin, killed the farmer, his wife and his two sons by biting them. The next day morning, Naagin(she-serpent) came to bite the farmers’ daughter. The girl kept a bowl full of milk and joined hands for forgiveness, in front of Naagin. Through this gesture of the girl, Naagin becomes happy and gives back the lives of the farmer, his wife and two sons.

That day it was, Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Shravan Maas. To be safe from the Serpent’s anger, they are worshipped on this day and Naag Panchami is celebrated.

Method of Nag Panchami Worship

On this day, after completion of your daily routine work and taking a bath, a snake is made out of cow dung, at the door of the house, a place of worship. On both sides of the door, the serpent is worshipped with milk, grass, Kusha, sandalwood, Akshat(rice used in worshipping), flowers etc. After this, an item made of Ladu(sweet) and Malpua is offered to God Snake. It is believed, that if you make the snake bath with milk on this day, the fear of the snake will vanish. It is celebrated in different styles all over India.

The festival is celebrated in a special way in India’s south Maharashtra and Bengal. In west Bengal, Assam, and some parts of Orissa, this day, the mother of serpents, Goddess Mansa is worshipped.

In the temple of Kerala as well, Shesh Naag is particularly worshipped.

On this day, Goddess Saraswati is specially worshipped. It is believed that, on this very day, women keep fast and worship God’s snake systematically. This increases a family’s happiness and wealth and the family has no fear of snake bite.

For worshipping Naag Panchami, in the morning after cleaning the house, prepare rice, Sewai etc to offer during Puja. In some parts of the country, food is prepared a day before Naag Panchami. And, on the day of Naag Panchami, stale food is eaten. The whole of Shravan Maas, especially on Naag Panchami, digging soil or foundation, and ploughing of fields are forbidden.

During, the Puja, the Snake God should be called and offered a position to be seated. After that, water, flowers and sandalwood should be offered to them. The milk, yoghurt, sugar, honey and butter of the Snake statue should be mixed to form a Panchamrit, which should be used in bathing. And, after that, sandalwood and aroma-containing water should be put on the statue.

Besides this, Aarti should be done with clothing thread, sandalwood, Haridra, powder, saffron, Sindoor(vermilion), Belpatra, jewellery and garlands of flower, auspicious nectar, lamp of Dhup, Navedya, seasonal fruit, and Tambool. Praying in this way fulfils our wishes. On this day, the Serpent God should be worshipped with sweet-smelling flowers and sandalwood. Because sweet smell is particularly dear for God Snake.

For the Puja of Naag Panchami, this mantra should be chanted.

“ऊँ कुरुकुल्ये हुं फट स्वाहा”