Nag Panchami 2025: Date, Timings, Rituals, Significance and Celebrations

🗓️ Nag Panchami 2025 Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
🕕 Nag Panchami Puja Muhurat: 05:41 AM to 08:23 AM
⏱️ Duration: 2 Hours 43 Minutes
🗓️ Nag Pancham Date in Gujarat: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
📜 Panchami Tithi Begins: 11:24 PM on July 28, 2025
📜 Panchami Tithi Ends: 12:46 AM on July 30, 2025

What is Nag Panchami?

Nag Panchami is a sacred Hindu festival observed on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) of the lunar month of Shravana (July-August). It is dedicated to the worship of serpents or ‘Nagas’, particularly Sheshnag, Vasuki, Karkotaka, Padma, Takshaka, and Ananta. Hindus across India offer reverence to snakes on this day, seeking protection and blessings.

The festival symbolizes the deep connection between humans and nature, especially animals that are both feared and revered in Hindu tradition. It is also closely linked with agricultural communities and the onset of the monsoon season.

Nag Panchami 2025 Dates and Regional Differences

🌐 General Observance:

Main Date: Tuesday, July 29, 2025
Muhurat (Most Auspicious Time): 05:41 AM to 08:23 AM

🧭 Regional Variation:

In the state of Gujarat, Nag Panchami is observed 15 days later:

Nag Pancham in Gujarat: Wednesday, August 13, 2025

This variation arises because Gujarat follows a different lunar calendar system (Krishna Paksha Panchami of Shravan month), compared to other states.

Mythological Significance of Nag Panchami

🐍 Connection to Lord Krishna:

One of the most popular legends associated with Nag Panchami is Lord Krishna’s victory over Kaliya Naag, the venomous serpent who had poisoned the waters of the Yamuna River. On this day, it is believed that Krishna danced on the hoods of Kaliya, ultimately subduing him and freeing the river.

🌍 Cosmic Significance:

According to Hindu cosmology, Sheshnag, the thousand-headed serpent, forms the bed of Lord Vishnu. The serpents are guardians of wealth and treasures hidden beneath the Earth, linking them to prosperity and divine power.

📖 Mahabharata Reference:

In the epic Mahabharata, King Janamejaya conducted a Sarpa Satra (snake sacrifice) to avenge his father’s death caused by snake bite from Takshaka Naag. This was stopped by Astika Muni, on the Panchami Tithi, which gave birth to the tradition of worshipping snakes.

Rituals and Customs of Nag Panchami

🌄 Puja Timing (2025):

05:41 AM to 08:23 AM – This is the most auspicious time to perform Nag Panchami puja.

🧴 Offering Milk and Flowers:

Devotees pour milk, turmeric, vermilion (kumkum), and rice over images or idols of snakes, or actual snake pits (ant-hills or burrows), particularly cobras.
Flowers, sweets, and incense sticks are offered to appease the Nagas.

🌾 Fasting (Vrat):

Many observe a strict fast (Nag Panchami Vrat) on this day, breaking it only after the puja. It is believed to protect one from snakebites and evil omens.

🐍 Drawing of Snake Figures:

In villages and towns, snake motifs are drawn on doors and walls using sandalwood paste or turmeric as symbols of protection and reverence.

🧘 Chanting Mantras:

Special Nag Devta mantras and stotras like Nag Gayatri Mantra, Nag Panchami Katha, and Ashtanag Stotra are recited.

How Nag Panchami is Celebrated Across India

🕌 North India (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh):

Devotees visit temples and offer milk to live snakes handled by snake charmers.
Traditional Nag Panchami Katha is recited in households.
Women draw snake symbols outside homes for protection.

🕉️ Maharashtra:

Special processions are carried out with decorated idols of snakes.
In rural regions, ant-hills are worshipped.
Cultural performances and folk dances mark the occasion.

🌄 Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh:

Known as Nagaara Panchami, it is observed with great religious fervor.
The festival marks respect towards the serpent deity Subrahmanya.
Shrines like Kukke Subrahmanya Temple see thousands of pilgrims.

🎭 West Bengal and Odisha:

Celebrated as Jhapan Yatra, where snake charmers demonstrate their skills in fairs.
Worship of Manasa Devi, the goddess of snakes, is common.

📍 Gujarat:

Nag Panchami, known locally as Nag Pancham, is celebrated later (August 13, 2025).
Farmers refrain from ploughing fields to avoid harming any burrow-dwelling serpents.

Importance and Beliefs

Snake worship is not just symbolic, it represents a deeper ecological awareness.
Nag Panchami helps reinforce the idea of respecting all living beings, including reptiles.
Worshipping snakes is also associated with fertility, rainfall, prosperity, and protection from calamities.

Mantras to Chant on Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami Mantra:

Om Kurukulle Hoom Hreem Namo Naga Rajaya

Nag Gayatri Mantra:

Om Sarpa Devaya Vidmahe  
Mahavishnaya Dhimahi  
Tanno Naga Prachodayat

Ashtanag Stotra:

A devotional hymn listing the names of the eight great Nagas:
Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, Shankhapala, Dhritarashtra, Takshaka

Do’s and Don’ts on Nag Panchami

✅ Do’s:

Offer raw milk to snake idols or images (not to wild snakes).
Observe fast with devotion and purity.
Read or listen to Nag Panchami Vrat Katha.
Respect ant-hills and natural snake habitats.

❌ Don’ts:

Avoid digging the earth or ploughing fields.
Do not harm any snake or reptile.
Refrain from consuming non-vegetarian food or alcohol on this day.

Conclusion

Nag Panchami 2025, falling on Tuesday, July 29, is a deeply symbolic and spiritually significant festival that reinforces the bond between humanity and nature. Whether one sees it through the lens of mythology, ecology, or culture, it remains a vital part of India’s living traditions. Observing the rituals of this festival with sincerity brings protection from evil, good health, family welfare, and ecological harmony.

May Nag Devta bless all with peace, protection, and prosperity!

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