Naag Panchami in Chaitra Month 2023: Naag Panchami Vrat, Puja Date and Time

Snakes are believed to be the Lord of Panchami that occurs every month. The Panchami of every month is related to one or the other type of snake. Hence snakes are worshipped every Panchami Tithi of each month as a practice. As per Hindu Panchang, the Panchami that falls in Chaitra month is especially celebrated as Naag Panchami festival. As per Hindu religion, a snake represents wealth, foodgrains and growth in the lineage. Therefore, worshiping and honoring the snake leads to happiness, prosperity and the devotee’s lineage grows.

On the Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Chaitra month, snakes are worshipped in pairs. Besides Naag Puja, worshiping Lord Shiva on this day is very auspicious. This brings auspicious results and absolves the worshipper of all his/her sins.

Why is Naag Panchami celebrated

Since ancient times snakes have been associated with the Sanatan Dharma. In Hinduism, both animals and birds are loved and worshipped. This emotion forms the base of Naag Panchami festival. Snakes have an important place in Hindu religious texts. Several mythological stories abound on snakes since the Vedic period.

Snakes have been given a special place. Lord Vishnu had mounted the Shesh Naag. Similarly, Lord Shiva has a snake around his throat. This snake represents our inherent Kundalini Shakti. It is depicted in the form of a snake that is asleep. The knowledge that is present within us can be attained only when our Kundalini Shakti is awakened. In other words, our internal knowledge is related to the sleeping form of a snake.

Naag Panchami fast and Puja procedure

• Take a bath first thing in the morning and wear clean clothes.
• Different species of snakes such as On the day of Nag Panchami, Anant, Vasuki, Padma, Mahapadma, Takshak, Kular, Karkat and Shankh should be remembered..
• If possible one must observe a fast and consume only fruits.
• To perform Naag Puja, either an image or an idol made from clay, silver, gold etc of a pair of snakes should be taken.
• Use a red coloured cloth to place the image or the idol for the Puja.
• For Naag Dev Abhishek the pair of snakes should be cleansed with raw milk, Ghee, Sugar, curd and Gangaajal.
• Turmeric, Roli and rice should be used for Tilak.
• The idol or the image should be adorned with garlands and flowers.
• Aarti should be performed after worshipping Naag Devta.
• The story of Nag Dev must be heard on Nag Panchami.
• Nag Dev should be offered Bhog and that Bhog should be distributed among everyone in the form of Prasad.

Chant the following Mantras on Naag Panchami

Chanting the following Mantras will not only will you get relief from Sarp Dosha but will also help you get relief from Kaal Sarpa Dosha.

Chaitra month: Aum Shankhapalaya Namah, Vaishakh month: Aum Takkshakaya Namah, Jyeshta month: Aum Pingalaya Namah, Ashada month: Aum Kaliday Namah, Shravan month: Aum Anantarpini Namah, Bhadrapada month: Aum Vasuki Namah, Ashwini month: Aum Sheshay Namah, Kartik month: Aum Padmaya Namah, Margashirsha month: Aum Kambalaya Namah, Paushya month: Aum Ashwataraya Namah, Magha month: Aum Karkotaya Namah, Falgun month: Aum Dhritarashtra Namah. Worshiping these Mantras every Panchami is considered very auspicious.

Naag Panchami Story

There are several stories related to Nag Panchami which talk about the birth of snakes and their effects on human life. According to a legend, a king Raja Parikshit died of a snake bite named Takshak. His son Janmajeya decides to avenge the death of his father. He conducts a Yagya to destroy the entire snake species.

Several snakes began dying because of the Yagya conducted by Janamejaya. Takshak then goes to Indra and seeks protection. Indra assures that he will protect him. When the Brahmins performing the Yajna call Takshak, he does not come. Janamejaya then orders the sages to call for Indra, if Indra does not abandon Takshak, then Indra should be called. So the sages summoned Lord Indra.

Consequently, Lord Indra left Takshak and Takshak ended up at the Yagya Agnikund. At that very minute, the sage Aastiak came and pacified the anger of Janamejaya and requested him to free the Takshak and end Yagya. Janamejaya Rishi is pacified by the words of Aastiak and Takshak Nag is freed.

It is believed that the day on which the Yagya was stopped was Panchami Tithi. For this reason, this Tithi is celebrated as Nag Panchami. Similarly, many other stories show the importance of Nag Panchami in different ways.

Why are snakes important in Hindu mythology?

The importance of snakes is mentioned in detail in our Puranas. Snakes are believed to be the children of Kashyapa Rishi. According to this, Brahma ji's son Rishi Kashyap had four wives. The snakes were brought to life by one of the wives named Kurdu. The names of the snakes are Ananta, Vasuki, Takshak, Karkotak, Padma, Mahapadam, Shankhpal and Kulik. If Kaal Sarp Dosh is formed in someone's birth chart, then it is a result of the influence of these eight snakes.

Perform Kala Sarpa Dosha Shanti Puja in Nag Panchami

The formation of Kalsarp Yoga in the horoscope creates many obstacles in life. Efforts fail repeatedly for one or the other reason. Lack of family happiness also remains constant in life. Nag Panchami is the most important time to resolve this Dosha.

Kaal Sarp Dosh is a malefic Yoga. It is formed in a person's horoscope when the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Mars, Guru, Venus and Saturn all are placed between Rahu and Ketu. Other Sarpa Dosha are also formed by Rahu and Ketu.

Lord Shiva is worshipped along with snakes in the Shiva temple for Kal Sarpa Shanti. Rudrabhishek and Mahamrityunjaya Mantra should be recited. Milk should be offered to Lord Shiva and Nag Dev.

The best day to calm Kalsarp Yoga is Nag Panchami. If Nagas are worshiped on this day as per rituals then the malefic effects of Kaal Sarp Dosha are minimised.