New Delhi: Nag Panchami is celebrated every year on the fifth day (Panchami Tithi) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the Sawan month. This year, it is on Monday, August 17. On this day, devotees offer milk, puffed rice, fruits and flowers to Nag Devta. It is said that by worshipping Nag Devta during Nag Panchami, people can get rid of Kaal Sarp Dosha. Notably, this year, Nag Panchami will also coincide with the auspicious occasion of Sawan Somwar.
From an astrological perspective, this combination is considered extremely rare and fruitful. Devotees should therefore worship Nag Devta and Lord Mahadev on Nag Panchami. It is believed that doing so brings happiness, prosperity and progress to the household. Let us now understand why Nag Panchami is celebrated and the mythological story behind the festival.
What is the mythological story behind Nag Panchami?
According to mythology, King Parikshit, who is the son of Abhimanyu and a king of the Kuru dynasty, was bitten by Takshak Nag due to a curse placed on him by Rishi Shamik. Being informed about the death of his father, his son, King Janamejaya, became very angry and decided to organise a big ‘Sarp Satra Mahayagya’ with an intention to kill all the snakes in the world.
During the Sarp Satra Yagya performed by King Janamejaya, the mantras chanted by the sages brought all the snakes of the world to the place of yagna, and they were burnt in the fire. In order to save his life, Takshak Nag took shelter with Lord Indra by embracing his throne. After that, when the sages started chanting the mantras to bring Takshak with Lord Indra to the sacrificial fire, chaos broke out in the heavens.
At that point, at the request of the gods, Astika Muni, a young and learned sage and the son of Goddess Manasa Devi, arrived at King Janamejaya’s sacrificial site. Through his knowledge and words, he pleased the king immensely. King Janamejaya asked Astika Muni to seek any boon he wished for.
Astika Muni then asked the king to immediately stop the Sarp Satra Yagya and grant the snakes protection. At Astika Muni’s request, King Janamejaya ended the sacrifice, thereby saving Takshak Nag and the other snakes.
The day on which Astika Muni stopped the sacrifice and protected the lives of the snakes, while sprinkling raw milk and water on them to soothe their suffering, was the Panchami Tithi of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Sawan. The snakes then blessed Astika Muni and declared that anyone who worshipped them on this Tithi would be protected from the fear of snakes. Since then, this day has been observed as Nag Panchami.
