Nag Panchami 2021

Nag Panchami is an important traditional festival celebrated in the diverse land of India with great fervour. Nag Panchami falls in the auspicious month of Shravan, and undoubtedly, this is a unique festival. As per the Hindu calendar, the auspicious Nag Panchami falls on the Panchami Tithi (5th day) of the Shukla Paksha during Shravan. According to the Gregorian calendar, this coincides with the months July and August. Nag Panchami 2021 will fall on 13th August 2021. 

Significance of Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami is a significant Hindu festival wherein people worship snakes. The term ‘Nag’ means snakes or serpents, and ‘Panchami’ means the fifth day. This important and holy day falls on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan. This is why the festival is called Nag Panchami. This particular festival is celebrated in India and Nepal. 

Snakes and their importance have been mentioned and highlighted in many Hindu scriptures such as Agni Purana, Mahabharata, Skanda Purana, and Narada Purana. In Hindu mythology, snakes have always occupied a significant place. They are associated with important deities, like the divine Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. As per Hindu mythology, the world rests on the head of the Sheshnag or the snake with the six heads. Snakes are also given respect and importance because they are closely associated with Lord Shiva. The snake that adorns Lord Shiva’s neck like an ornament is Vasuki. The celebration of Nag Panchami also explains the close association of snakes and Lord Shiva. 

On the holy occasion of Nag Panchami, the devotees worship the Nag Devta or Snake God. It is a common belief that any prayers offered or Puja done to snakes on this day will reach the Snake God. This is why people worship snakes as a representative of the Snake God on this auspicious occasion. Even though there are several Snake Gods in Hindu mythology, the following 12 are worshipped on this occasion. 

Ananta

Vasuki

Shesha

Padma

Kambala

Karkotaka

Ashvatara

Dhritarashtra

Shankhapala

Kaliya

Takshaka

Pingala

Devotees pray to the snakes on this auspicious day because it is believed that praying to them can remove unnecessary fears from one’s life and can bring wealth, health, peace, and prosperity in life. If spirituality is your concern, then this specific day is also auspicious for you to start meditating, as this will help you achieve peace and happiness in life. 

The Relation between Kaal Sarp Dosha and Nag Panchami

The festival of Nag Panchami is also of enormous significance from the point of view of Vedic astrology. This festival becomes essential for natives who have Kaal Sarp Dosha in their horoscope. The Kaal Sarp Dosha can cause havoc by bringing hardships and bad luck to one’s life. Anyone suffering from this Dosha can use this day to do special rituals and Pujas to appease the Snake God on Nag Panchami.