The 5th day of the waxing Moon
phase (Shukla Paksha) in the month of Sawan or Shravan (mid-July to mid–August)
is celebrated as Naga Panchami. ‘Naga’ means ‘Cobra’ or ‘Serpent.’ ‘Panchami’
means fifth lunar day. It is an auspicious day for devotees to worship snakes
or serpents and Naga Devatas (snake Gods) for receiving various blessings in
life. Naga Chaturthi (4th lunar day) is followed by Naga Panchami, the next day
of Chaturthi. Naga Panchami is an ancient observance which dates back even
before the Vedic culture came into existence.
Significance
Naga Panchami is a very important
festival, which is celebrated throughout India, more prominently in southern
parts of India. Women undertake fasting and wholeheartedly pray for the
well-being of their siblings. This ritual can help reduce the intensity of the
affliction or congested energies from the snakes and the snake planets, Rahu
and Ketu.
Snakes have assumed different
forms in Indian mythology and act as the symbols of many deities. Lord Vishnu
is often depicted in the posture of Ananta
Sayana (reclining on the serpent, Ananta
Sesha, king of snakes), with Ananta
Sesha serving as his bed. Lord Shiva wears a serpent around his neck and
Lord Muruga is also worshipped in the form of a snake.
In the Treta Yuga (second epoch),
Lord Rama’s (7th incarnation of Lord Vishnu) younger brother Lakshmana was none
other than Adisesha. In the Dwapara Yuga (third epoch), Adisesha took the form
of Lord Balarama, Lord Krishna’s (8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu), elder
brother.
Rituals of Naga Panchami
Naga deities and Naga Devatas
(snake gods) are worshipped throughout the country. On this day, people go to
the place where there are snake pits, offer cow’s milk and pray to the serpents
there. Some people go to the temples where the snake idols are installed. They
do Abishekam (hydration Pooja) with water and, milk, apply turmeric powder and
dots of kumkum (red vermilion powder). Then, they offer prasad, light incense
and show aarti (light offering). Finally, they tie a sacred yellow thread on
their hands, with 7 knots in it representing the 7 brothers.
Some perform this ritual at their house to an idol of snake made of silver. They perform Abishekam (hydration Pooja) to the idol and follow all the usual procedures. Special Prasad will be made and offered to the deity. It is believed that offering food to a Brahmin on this day is very auspicious. On the day of Naga Chaturthi / Panchami, digging of soil, plowing of the field and cutting of trees need to be avoided.