Keeping fast and offering prayer on the day of Naag Panchmi is fruitful. Naag Panchami is celebrated on Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Shravan Maas, every year with faith and confidence. Many Dant Kathae(well known old stories) are prevalent. Out of which few stories are as follows. It is considered auspicious to do self study or listening of these stories. Additionally, worshiping of snakes should be done in a systematic manner.

Story of Farmer and Serpent

In the context of Naag Panchami, many stories are famous. As per one of the story, a farmer used to live in a state with his two sons and one daughter. One day while ploughing the field, three children of snakes came under it and died. After the death of Naag(male snake), at first, Naagin(female snake) expressed sorrow by mourning, then, planed to take the revenge from the murderer of its sons.

In the darkness of night, Naagin, killed the farmer, his wife and his two sons by biting them. Next day morning, Naagin(she-serpent) came to bite the farmers daughter. The girl kept a bowl full of milk and joined hands for forgiveness,in front of Naagin. By this gesture of the girl, Naagin got happy and gave back the lives of farmer, his wife and two sons.

That day it was,Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Shravan Maas. From that day, to be safe of Serpent’s anger, they are worshiped on this day and Naag Panchami is celebrated.

Method of Nag Panchami Worship

On this day, after completion of your daily routine work and taking bath, a snake is made out of cow dung, at the door of house, place of worship. On both the sides of door, the serpent is worshiped with milk, grass, Kusha, sandalwood,Akshat(rice used in worshiping),flower etc. After this, item made of Ladu(sweet) and Malpua is offered to God Snake. It is believed, if you make the snake bath with milk on this day, the free from snake is vanished. It is celebrated in different styles all over India.

The festival is celebrated in a special way in India’s south Maharashtra and Bengal. In west Bengal, Assam, and some parts of Orissa, this day, mother of serpents, Goddess Mansa is worshiped. In the temple of Kerala as well, Shesh Naag is particularly worship.

On this day, Goddess Saraswati is specially worshiped. It is believed that , on this very day, women keep fast and worship God snake in a systematic way. This increases a family’s happiness and wealth and the family has no fear of snake bite.

For worshiping Naag Panchami, in the morning after cleaning the house, prepare rice, Sewai etc to offer during Puja. In some parts of the country, food is kept prepared a day before Naag Panchami. And, on the day of Naag Panchami, stale food is eaten. Whole of Shravan Maas, especially on Naag Panchami, digging soil or foundation, ploughing of fields is forbidden.

During, the Puja, Snake God should be called and offered a position to be seated. After that, water, flower and sandalwood should be offered on them. The milk, yogurt,sugar,honey and butter of Snake statue should be mixed to form a Panchamrit, which should be used in bathing. And, after that, sandalwood and aroma containing water should be put on the statue.

Besides this, Aarti should be done with clothing thread, sandalwood, Haridra, powder, saffron, Sindoor(vermilion), Belpatra, jewellery and garlands of flower, auspicious nectar, lamp of Dhup, Navedya, seasonal fruit, and Tambool. Praying in this way, fulfills our wishes. On this day, Seprent God should be worship with sweet smelling flowers and sandalwood. Because, sweet smell is particularly dear for God Snake.

For Puja of Naag Panchami, this mantra should be chanted.

"ऊँ कुरुकुल्ये हुं फट स्वाहा"