Nag Panchami 2026

Naga Panchami: Worship of the Serpent Deities

Naga Panchami is the festival of serpent worship observed on Shravana Shukla Panchami. Devotees pour milk at anthills (putta), worship images of the Nagas and pray for the family's safety and the blessing of children. In Telugu homes it is also called Nagula Panchami, and Garuda Panchami is observed on the same day.

The Puranic Background

The Mahabharata tells that King Janamejaya, angered that his father Parikshit died from the bite of Takshaka, performed a great sarpa yagam to destroy all serpents. The sage Astika stopped the sacrifice and saved the serpent race, and that day is popularly held to be Panchami. The festival is also linked to young Krishna subduing the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna. With Vasuki adorning Shiva's neck and Adishesha serving as Vishnu's bed, serpents are revered as divine.

How the Puja Is Done

• Take a head bath in the morning and prepare for puja with a fast or a single meal.
• Visit a nearby anthill and offer turmeric, kumkum, flowers and cow's milk.
• Where there is no anthill, make a Naga image with turmeric, sandal paste or clay and worship it at home.
• Offer chalimidi, vadapappu, sesame laddus and milk as naivedyam.
• Recite the Naga Stotram or Subrahmanya Stotram and offer mangala harathi.

Customs in Telugu States

Many families avoid ploughing, digging, cutting and frying on this day. In Andhra Pradesh, Nagula Chavithi in the Kartika month is more prominent, while in Telangana the Shravana Naga Panchami is widely celebrated. Subrahmanya kshetras such as Mopidevi are well known for pujas to remove sarpa dosham.

Blessings

Devotees believe Naga Panchami worship removes the fear of snakes, pacifies Naga doshams and blesses couples with children. The festival also teaches respect for every creature in nature.

May the Naga Devatas protect every family with their grace.