
Naga Panchami (Sanskrit: नाग पंचमी) is a traditional worship offered to serpents. It is offered on the fifth day of the bright half of Lunar month of Shravana (July/August), according to the Hindu calendar and this year it falls on the 21st August, 2023.
Thee meaning of Naga is infinite & quantum & it is not just limited to snakes. Thee transformational forces operating outside as well as within us are all forms of Nagas.
NAGAS are nothing but PURE AWARENESS. Considered thee most important is the Kundalini Shakti (coiled serpent) that exists within us.
So Naga Panchami is a day to honor these transformational forces and not just limited to the worship of snakes.
Time & Locations
New York, USA 🇺🇸
Panchami Tithi Begins – 02:51 PM on Aug 20, 2023
Panchami Tithi Ends – 04:30 PM on Aug 21, 2023
India 🇮🇳
Panchami Tithi Begins – 12:21 AM on Aug 21, 2023
Panchami Tithi Ends – 02:00 AM on Aug 22, 2023
“The abode of snakes is believed to be patala loka, (the seven realms of the universe located below the earth) and lowest of them is also called Naga-loka, the region of the Nagas, as part of the creative force and their blessings are sought for the welfare of the family.
According to mythology nagas were born to Sage Kashyapa, grandson of Lord Brahma. Kashyapa’s wife Aditi is the mother of the 12 Adityas who belong to the Deva clan. Kashyapa’s other wife Kadru is the daughter of Daksha and mother of thousands of nagas. So both the Devas and the Nagas have the same father and this signifies that both positive and negative energies coexist and it is within each one of us. All we have to do is to know how to subdue our poisonous nature and nurture the goodness within.
The significance of Naga Panchami
The lunar nodes represent serpents. Rahu is connected to the sarpas and Ketu is connected to the nagas. Nagas are mystical creatures full of wisdom and hidden treasures. If you have issues related to Rahu & Ketu like Kaal Sarpa dosha or sarpa dosha or if you are running Rahu or Ketu mahadasha or antar dasha or if you have Rahu/Ketu transiting over natal planets or natal planets transiting over Rahu/Ketu then it is highly effective to worship the Nagas, especially on Naga Panchmi to get their blessings to bring balance and prosperity into our lives.
Naga Panchami Rituals
Worship Lord Shiva by chanting or meditating on the Shiva Panchakshari Stotram. This stotram opens with the line – Nagendra Haaraya. Naga means snakes, Indra means the best, excellent or chief, Haara means Garland. Lord Shiva is addressed as the one who wears the excellent of snakes as HIS garland. The simple symbolism is that when you learn to manage the Rahu Ketu axis in your own chart, they can be worn as an ornament.” Information from COSMIC INSIGHTS
Other rituals that can be performed on Naga Panchami include:
1. Offer milk, honey, and turmeric to snake idols or pictures.
2. Offer flowers, sandalwood paste, and vermilion to snake idols or pictures.
3. Light a lamp and incense in front of snake idols or pictures.
4. Recite the Naga Gayatri Mantra or any other mantras dedicated to snakes.
5. Visit temples dedicated to Nagas and offer prayers.
6. Take a bath in a river or holy water body to cleanse oneself.
7. Fast on Naga Panchami and consume only vegetarian food.
8. Wear new clothes and observe cleanliness.
9. Avoid harming or killing snakes on this day.
10. Seek blessings from elders and ancestors.
By performing these rituals, it is believed that one can receive the blessings of the Nagas and gain protection from their malefic influences. It is also a day to reflect on the symbolism of snakes and their transformative powers within us.