Also known as: Naga Panchami, Nagara Panchami (Karnataka), Manasa Puja (Bengal) · Observed: Maharashtra, Karnataka, North India and Bengal
Significance of Nag Panchami
Nag Panchami is devoted to the Nagas, the divine serpents who hold an important place in Hindu thought. Shesha supports the earth and serves as the bed of Vishnu, Vasuki encircles Shiva's neck and served as the rope at the churning of the ocean, and the Nagas are guardians of water, fertility and hidden treasure. The festival falls in the monsoon month of Shravana, when snakes are often driven from their flooded burrows into fields and homes. Worshipping them at this season expresses reverence and a wish for protection, and reflects an ancient respect for the creatures that keep rodents away from stored grain.
Women in particular observe the day for the welfare of their brothers, children and families.
Legends of the Festival
The Mahabharata tells how King Janamejaya, to avenge the death of his father Parikshit by the bite of Takshaka, performed a great sacrifice to destroy all serpents. The young sage Astika, whose mother was the Naga princess Manasa (Jaratkaru), persuaded the king to halt the sacrifice, saving the Nagas; tradition holds this happened on Shravana Shukla Panchami. Another story recalls Krishna's subduing of the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna, after which Kaliya was sent away and the river made safe. A folk tale tells of a farmer who accidentally killed a nest of serpent young while ploughing; the mother serpent's anger was pacified only when the farmer's daughter worshipped her with milk, and this is said to be the origin of the custom of not ploughing or digging on this day.
How Nag Panchami Is Celebrated
Devotees draw images of serpents with sandal paste, turmeric or cow dung on walls and doorways, or use images of silver, stone or clay. They visit anthills, believed to be the homes of snakes, and offer milk, turmeric, kumkum, flowers and puffed rice. Many women fast and avoid cutting, frying or digging, so as not to harm any creature. In Maharashtra, the village of Battis Shirala is known for its traditional celebrations, and women sing folk songs and swing on rope swings tied to trees. In Karnataka, sisters perform tani-eredu, pouring milk on the backs of their brothers for their protection.
In Bengal and Assam, the serpent goddess Manasa is worshipped through the monsoon months. In Kerala, ancient serpent groves called sarpa kavu are honoured, and the Mannarasala temple is a major centre of Naga worship. In some parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, the festival is kept in the dark fortnight of Shravana instead.
How the Date Is Determined
Nag Panchami is Shravana Shukla Panchami, the fifth tithi of the bright fortnight of Shravana. The worship is performed in the forenoon, so the festival is fixed on the day when Panchami prevails at that time. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, a separate serpent festival called Nagula Chavithi is observed in the month of Kartika.
Rituals and customs
- Drawing serpent images on walls with sandal paste or turmeric
- Offering milk, flowers and turmeric at anthills
- Fasting by women for family welfare
- Avoiding digging, ploughing, cutting and frying
- Worship at snake temples and sacred groves
- Swinging and folk songs in Maharashtra