When is Nag Panchami 2024? Know date, puja muhurat, rituals and all you need to know
Nag Panchami is an important Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Nag Devta, or the Snake God. Celebrated during the auspicious month of Sawan, this unique festival honours serpents and seeks their blessings. This day is entirely devoted to Nagas, or snakes, who are honoured in Hindu mythology. Many people offer their prayers to these serpents. The festival is celebrated with great devotion and care in both India and Nepal. Let's dive into the details of Nag Panchami 2024, including its date, puja muhurat, rituals, and significance.
When is Nag Panchami in 2024?
Nag Panchami 2024 will be observed on Friday, August 9, 2024. This festival usually falls in July or August, aligning with the Panchami Tithi of Shravan month, during the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase of the lunar cycle). The day is set aside for honouring snakes, an integral part of Hindu mythology.
Nag Panchami Puja Muhurat 2024
For Nag Panchami 2024, the ideal puja muhurat is from 05:25 AM to 08:00 AM. The Panchami Tithi of Shukla Paksha will begin at 12:36 AM on August 9 and end at 03:14 AM on August 10. Observing puja during this period is believed to bring good fortune and protection from evil.
Nag Panchami Puja Ritual
The main ritual of Nag Panchami involves offering milk to the snake god. This practice is rooted in the belief that these offerings will protect families from harm.
On Nag Panchami, devotees typically bathe in the morning and create a representation of Nag Devta using clay or cow dung at their home entrances. The ritual includes offering durva (a type of grass), kusha (sacred grass), and flowers to the deity.?
Traditional dishes made from milk, such as kheer (rice pudding) and sweets, are prepared and offered to the snake god. The festival also involves praying to prominent serpent deities like Ananta, Shesha, Vasuki, Kambala, Padma, and Kaliya.
Nag Panchami 2024: Story and Significance
The origin of Nag Panchami is deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. Snakes hold a revered place in Hindu culture and are linked to various deities and myths. Lord Shiva, a central figure in Hinduism, is often depicted with the serpent Vasuki around his neck.
A famous story associated with Nag Panchami involves Lord Krishna. According to the legend, while playing near the Yamuna River, Krishna¡¯s ball fell into the water and was attacked by the serpent Kaliya. Krishna bravely confronted Kaliya, dragged him to the surface, and defeated him. Kaliya, realising Krishna¡¯s divine nature, begged for forgiveness and promised to cease his tormenting ways. This story symbolises the triumph of good over evil, a key theme of Nag Panchami.
Nag Panchami 2024: Rituals and Celebrations
Nag Panchami is marked by several rituals and customs:
- Snake Worship: Devotees visit temples dedicated to serpent deities, offering milk, flowers, and other offerings to snake idols. At home, some create snake images from cow dung or clay and place them prominently for worship.
- Offering Milk: Pouring milk on anthills, believed to be the homes of snakes, is a common practice to appease serpent deities and seek their blessings.
- Fasting: Many devotees observe a fast on Nag Panchami, abstaining from food and water until the evening puja.
- Rangoli and Decorations: Vibrant rangolis or patterns representing snakes are created outside homes, particularly by women and children.
- Temple Processions: In some regions, processions featuring snake idols are carried out, accompanied by music and dance.
Nag Panchami 2024 is a day of devotion and cultural significance, bringing communities together to honour and seek the blessings of the revered snake deities.
May the blessings of Nag Devta be with you always. Happy Nag Panchami!
