It is Nag Panchami today i.e., 5 August 2019. The holy month of Sawan is filled with celebrations and festivity. After the celebration of Sawan Shivratri and Hariyali Teej, it is now the time for celebrating Nag Panchami. It is celebrated on Shukla Paksha Panchami in the northern states of India whereas people in Southern India celebrate Nag Panchami on Krishna Paksha Panchami.
Nag Panchami 2019: Date
Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha (bright fortnight) in the month of Sawan. It will be celebrated on 5 August this year (date may vary). People worship snakes on this day by offering milk, flowers, fruits to the snake idol and praying for their blessings.
Some people also celebrate the day as Garuda Panchami. People perform Rudrabhishek on this auspicious day and pray.
Nag Panchami 2019: Why Is It Celebrated ?
Nag Panchami is of great importance for the devotees of Lord Shiva. People celebrate this day by giving milk baths to snakes made of wood, silver, stone or a painting of snakes.
Snakes are of great importance in the Hindu mythology. There are numerous stories in the mythology regarding snakes, primarily about Sheshnag of Lord Shiva. It is believed that the entire earth is balanced on Sheshnag’s back. People worship the snakes on this day to ensure their families are protected from the danger of snakes.
Some believe that the celebration of Nag Panchami dates back to the Nagas clan which had a culture of worshiping snakes. As the Naga culture got absorbed by the Hindu culture, the Indo-Aryans also started worshiping the snakes.
Snakes are also given importance as Lord Shiva wears them around his neck as an ornament.
Some people relate the celebration of Nag Panchami with Lord Krishna’s victory over Kaliya Naag in River Yamuna.
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