New Delhi: Hindus observe Nag Panchami on the Shukla Paksha Panchami during the month of Sravana, usually in July or August. In this festival, snakes are worshipped across temples in India and Nepal. It is believed that one who worships snakes on this day gets rid of the fear of serpents.
Usually, Nag Panchami falls two days after Hariyali Teej and it is a day of traditional worship of ‘nag’ or snakes.
According to beliefs, when Lord Krishna was a child, one day he was playing by the Yamuna River. The ball with which he was playing got caught in the branches of a tree near the river’s banks. Krishna slipped in the river and was attacked by the snake Kaliya. But soon Kaliya realised, Krishna was no ordinary child and begged him not to kill it. Nag Panchmi is observed to commemorate Krishna’s victory over Kalia, who agreed not to harass human beings in exchange for his life before Krishna.
According to another story, Janamejaya, the son of Parikshit, had arranged a Nag Yagya to take revenge on snakes as his father Parikshit was killed by Takshak. The son of Rishi Jaratkaru, Aastik Muni, stopped this Yajna. The day he stopped the Yajna was Shravan Shukla Panchami.
Fasting is observed on this day. The piety observed on this day is considered sure protection against the fear of snake bite. In many places, real snakes are worshipped and fairs are held. On this day, digging soil is forbidden as it is believed it can kill or harm snakes which reside in the earth.
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