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Naga Devatas (Vasuki, Shesha, Takshaka)
Nag Panchami is rooted in the Puranic reverence for serpent deities (Nagas). In the Mahabharata, King Janamejaya performed a great Sarpa Satra (serpent sacrifice) to avenge his father Parikshit's death by Takshaka. The sage Astika intervened and stopped the sacrifice, saving the Naga race — this event is commemorated on Nag Panchami. Serpents are also revered as ornaments of Lord Shiva (Vasuki around his neck) and as the cosmic bed of Lord Vishnu (Shesha Naga).
Nag Panchami honours the Nagas as protectors of the earth and keepers of the underworld (Patala). Snakes symbolize Kundalini energy, fertility, and cosmic power. Worshipping them is believed to protect from snakebite, grant progeny, and remove Kala Sarpa Dosha from one's horoscope.
Offer milk, turmeric, rice, and flowers at snake anthills or Naga idols. Draw serpent images on the doorstep with turmeric or sandalwood paste. Do not dig the earth or plough fields on this day. Recite Naga Stotras. Many women observe a fast and pray for the well-being of their families. Live snakes are venerated in some regions.
Nag Panchami falls on Shukla Paksha Panchami (5th day of waxing moon) in Shravan month. The puja should be performed in the morning hours, ideally before noon. Early morning (after sunrise) is considered the most auspicious time.
On this sacred Nag Panchami, I worship the great serpent deities — Shesha, Vasuki, Takshaka, and all Nagas — for protection from serpent-related fears, removal of Kaal Sarpa Dosha, and the well-being of my family.
Take an early morning bath after sunrise. Wear clean clothes. Clean the puja area near the main door or in the puja room. If performing puja at a snake anthill (termite mound), go there after bathing.
Draw a serpent image on the wall or a wooden board using turmeric paste (haldi) or sandalwood paste. Traditionally, a five-hooded (panch-phani) or seven-hooded (sapt-phani) serpent is drawn. Alternatively, use a clay Nag idol. Place it on a clean platform with a white or yellow cloth.
Sit before the Nag image. Perform achamana (sip water thrice). Take the sankalpa. Invoke the eight great Nagas by name: Ananta (Shesha), Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Shankhapala, and Kulika. These are the Ashta Nagas mentioned in the Puranas.
Nag Devta Mantra
ॐ नागराजाय नमः
Pour raw milk gently over the Nag image or at its base. This is the primary offering of Nag Panchami. IMPORTANT: Offer milk to the image/idol only — do NOT feed milk to live snakes as it harms them (snakes are lactose intolerant). If worshipping at a snake anthill, pour milk at the entrance.
Offer fresh flowers (white and yellow), durva grass (doob), and sandalwood paste to the Nag image. Apply turmeric and kumkum tilak on the serpent image. Place akshat (unbroken rice) at the base. Light incense sticks and the ghee lamp.
Chant the Nag mantra "Om Nagarajaya Namah" 108 times. Then recite the Nag Gayatri. Recite the names of the eight Naga kings. If you know the Sarpa Sukta from the Atharva Veda, recite it. Pray for protection from serpent-related fears and for the removal of Kaal Sarpa Dosha if applicable.
Nag Devta Mantra
ॐ नागराजाय नमः
Offer laddoos (especially besan laddoo), kheer (rice pudding), and pua (fried sweet bread) to the Nag deities. These are the traditional naivedya items for Nag Panchami. Place them before the Nag image on a banana leaf or clean plate.
Perform pradakshina (circumambulation) of the Nag image three times. Do a full namaskara (prostration). Pray that the Nag Devtas protect your home from snakes and poisonous creatures. Distribute the prasad (laddoo, kheer) to family members and neighbors. Apply turmeric tilak on the foreheads of all family members.
Nag Devta Mantra
ॐ नागराजाय नमः
oṃ nāgarājāya namaḥ
Om, salutations to the King of Serpents.
108x Japa CountNag Gayatri Mantra
ॐ नागकुलाय विद्महे विषधराय धीमहि। तन्नो नागः प्रचोदयात्॥
oṃ nāgakulāya vidmahe viṣadharāya dhīmahi | tanno nāgaḥ pracodayāt ||
Om, we meditate upon the serpent clan, we contemplate the bearer of venom. May the Naga inspire and illuminate us.
108x Japa CountSarpa Sukta — Invocation Verse
नमो अस्तु सर्पेभ्यो ये के च पृथिवीमनु। ये अन्तरिक्षे ये दिवि तेभ्यः सर्पेभ्यो नमः॥
namo astu sarpebhyo ye ke ca pṛthivīmanu | ye antarikṣe ye divi tebhyaḥ sarpebhyo namaḥ ||
Salutations to all the serpents — those that dwell on earth, those in the atmosphere, and those in the heavens — to all those serpents, I bow.
Offer laddoo (especially besan laddoo), kheer (rice pudding), pua (fried sweet bread), and milk. No fried-in-oil items on this day (some traditions). Fruits may also be offered. The naivedya should be placed on a banana leaf or clean plate before the Nag image.
Nag Panchami worship removes the fear of snakes and snake bites, neutralizes Kaal Sarpa Dosha in the horoscope, and grants the protection of the Naga Devtas. The Garuda Purana states that those who worship Nagas on Panchami are protected from serpent-related harm for the entire year. It also grants fertility, prosperity, and the blessings of Lord Vishnu (who reclines on Shesha Nag).