Nag Panchami 2027

Puja Vidhi

Who Should Do This Vrat?

• Women and Mothers: Women observe this vrat and worship the Nag Devta (serpent deity) for the safety, health, and prosperity of their brothers, children, and family.
• Farmers and Rural Families: Farming families pray for protection from snakes and for the well-being of their fields and cattle.
• Devotees of Lord Shiva: Devotees of Lord Shiva, who wears the serpent around his neck, offer prayers for protection from fear and harm (Sarpa Bhay Nivaran).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Bath and Sankalp: Taken after an early bath, when the fast begins.
• Puja Muhurat: The Nag Devta puja is done in the morning, though it may continue until midday (Madhyahna). Check the sunrise time for your city on this page.
• Milk Offering: Made at an anthill (Valmik), a snake temple, or before an image of the Nag Devta, during the puja.
• Breaking the Fast: After the puja and prasad, with a simple meal.

Nag Panchami falls in two forms. Most of India keeps it on the Shukla Panchami of Shravana, while Gujarat observes Nag Pancham on the Krishna Panchami about fifteen days earlier. The puja is the same in both.

About the Festival

Nag Panchami is a much-loved festival celebrated across India in which snakes are worshipped with milk, flowers, and prayers. It takes place on the Panchami (fifth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravana.

The Vrat Katha (Story of the Farmer and the Nag Devta)

Once upon a time, a farmer lived with his two sons and a daughter. One day, while ploughing his field, his plough accidentally killed three baby snakes. The mother snake, grieved by the loss of her young ones, vowed revenge. At night, she entered the farmer's house and bit him, his wife, and his two sons, who all died.

The next morning, she saw the farmer's daughter sitting in prayer. The young girl had placed a bowl of milk at the door and was praying with folded hands: "O Nag Devta, forgive my father for his accidental mistake. Protect my family and have mercy on us." The mother snake was touched by the girl's pure heart and devotion.

Moved by her sincere prayer, the snake took back her revenge, drank the milk, and restored the family to life with her divine powers. The farmer's family was overjoyed and regarded the snake as a protector. Since that day, devotees have worshipped the Nag Devta on Nag Panchami with milk and prayers, seeking protection for their families and fields.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: A picture, silver or clay idol of the Nag Devta, or a drawing of snakes made with turmeric or sandalwood on a wall
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Haldi, Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Incense: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee and cotton wick, and Dhoop
• Sacred Offerings: Raw milk in a small vessel, water, flowers, and Durva grass
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Parched rice (Lahi), sweet dishes, fruits, and sesame sweets (Til ke Laddu)
• Devotional Accessories: Kalava (sacred thread) and a clean Chowki

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean clothes.
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Nag Devta, today I observe this vrat with devotion. Protect my family from all harm and bless us with health and prosperity."
3. Observe the fast through the morning, taking only water, fruit, or milk (families differ on how strict the fast is). Many families do not dig the earth or use a knife or plough on this day.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar (Morning)

1. Clean the eastern side of the house and draw snakes with turmeric, sandalwood, or cow dung paste on the wall near the door, or place an image of the Nag Devta.
2. Place a Chowki covered with a clean cloth, and set the idol or picture of the Nag Devta on it.
3. Keep the milk, flowers, and puja items beside the altar.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and Dhoop in front of the Nag Devta.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Haldi, Roli, Kumkum, and Akshat to the image.
3. Offering Milk: Pour a little raw milk and water over the image or at the entrance of an anthill.
4. Offering Flowers & Naivedya: Offer flowers, Durva grass, parched rice, and sweets to the Nag Devta.

Step 4: Reciting the Vrat Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the Nag Panchami Vrat Katha with deep focus and devotion.
3. After the story, offer the held grains and petals at the feet of the Nag Devta.

Step 5: Aarti and Prayer

1. Perform the Nag Devta Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Chant the names of the serpent deities, Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Takshaka, and Karkotaka, with folded hands.
3. Tie a Kalava around the wrist, or place one at the altar, as a symbol of protection.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Breaking the Fast

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad among your family members and children.
3. Break your fast by partaking in the prasad and a simple sattvic meal.