Naga Panchami is a day of traditional worship of Nagas or snakes observed by Hindus throughout India, Nepal, and other countries where Hindu adherents live. The day that the sacrifice was stopped, due to the intervention of the Astika, was on the Shukla Paksha Panchami day in the month of Shravana.
What is Nag Panchami
In Hinduism, the term “Naga” means “snake,” and this is the reason why there are several Naga temples in India. These temples are dedicated to the worship of Nagas. The snake is believed to have been man’s first friend and was the one who got him rid of his fear of snakes and made him brave enough to befriend another creature. An ancient history of the Nagas According to popular mythology, the Nagas were from a race that lived in caves near the mouth of the River Ganges, hence the name Nagas or the Nagas as we know them today. During the Vedic times, the Nagas lived in wilder parts of India, but later settled down in cities such as Benares, Varanasi, Kanpur, Ahmedabad, Pune, and Mumbai.
Why do Hindus worship Nagas?
As told in the ancient Mahabharata, King Janaka had invited a beautiful Snake goddess from the sky who had come to worship Lord Shiva. The wise king was greatly pleased with this beautiful maiden and gave her a jewel in her navel. The Snake Goddess thought that the jewel was too large for her to carry. In fear, she started to shrink in size, but eventually got so small that she could no longer see even her own reflection in the jewel, and found herself engulfed in the jewel itself. What a plight for such a noble creature. The snake goddess’ plight is reported in the Mahabharata, and it is one of the most well-known tales of the Snakes. The story goes like this: A young Prince had a duel with his opponent over who will be the King.
What are the rituals of Nag Panchami?
The Vamana Jayanti celebration involves several rituals. The most important ritual is the evening sacrifice. Here are the few steps involved in the evening sacrifice: 1. The family presents offerings of fruits, milk, flowers and juices to the deity. This ritual is called Panchamrita and is considered highly auspicious. The vahana (the vehicle of Lord Vishnu in his form of Vamana) is offered to Lord Vishnu for ten days and finally cremated. 2. The family celebrates Lord Vamana’s coming on earth day, Nag Panchami. Here the vahana is decorated and carried through the streets. It is also placed on altars. 3. The family participates in a yagna, which is a ritual by which snakes are offered to Lord Vishnu. 4.
How does this festival differ from other Hindu festivals?
Other Hindu festivals have a varied iconography and symbolism associated with them. However, Nag Panchami is a day that marks the termination of the fourth (4th) month (Shravana), which is dedicated to snakes. The snake is considered a messenger of death (Tat Tvam Asi) and so on this day, Hindus seek to worship their beloved snakes (Nagas). This day is also of importance in the Hindu calendar, because it has the same significance as that of the day in the month of Shravana (January–February) in which Lord Shiva’s son, Lord Ram was born, as per a popular belief in the Hindu religion. Hindus also observe a fast for the rest of the day. A dip in a sacred water-filled temple tank called the Shiva-Linga is also customary, which is believed to wash away sins. They also wear new clothes.
The fast is therefore broken by offering ‘kheer’ to the snake God. On this day, no fried or salty meals are allowed.
Many people are approaching us in the Naga form. This is the time when they will be more happy.
