Nag Panchami 2024: Start The Day Reciting Mantras; Avoid Harming Snakes

A day designated to worship snakes? You may all ask a question. Yes, in Hindu culture Nag Panchami is a festival dedicated to the worship of snakes. It typically falls on the fifth day of the Sawan month i.e. July to August or two days right after Hariyali Teej.

In India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh grandly celebrate Nag Panchami by pampering Nag Devta, a serpent-shaped deity.

According to Drik Panchang, a well-known Hindu Calendar website, the Nag Panchami 2024 Shubh Muharat starts at 12:36 AM on August 9 and ends at 03:14 AM on August 10.

Why worship snakes?

On this auspicious day of the Hindus, It is believed that worshipping any live snake during Nag Panchami could let one's prayer reach directly to the serpent God. Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, and Kambala, are some of the serpent Gods worshipped at the Nag Panchami festival.

Do’s and don’ts on Nag Panchami

• Reciting mantras: Start the day reciting Nag Panchami mantras
• Offerings: Devotees visit temples or other sacred places to offer milk, flowers, and sweets to deities 
• Life in full circle: Embraces all forms of life on earth by being respectful and kind. Educate people about the importance of snake and other wildlife conservation
• Avoid harming snakes: Let the snakes have a safe passage on this day while being alert of getting harm
• Avoid cutting down trees and digging ground: It is believed that cutting off trees and digging ground on this day may harm serpents hiding in the trees and resting underground
• Avoid sewing: Using needle-threads to sew on this day is considered Ashubh 
• Avoid cooking on iron vessels: Preparing food on iron vessels on Nag Panchami is also considered Inauspicious