Nag
Panchami
2026

Nag Panchami is an auspicious Hindu festival observed in the Shravan month (usually July-August).

On this day, devotees worship Nag Devta (Lord of snakes) and offer them milk for the well being of their families and get rid of various Doshas.

When is Nag Panchami in 2026?

Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan. This year, in 2026, Nag Panchami falls on 17th August. Generally it is celebrated 2 days after Hariyali Teej.

Date: Monday, 17 August 2026

Panchami Tihi Begins: 04:52 PM, 16 August 2026

Panchami Tithi Ends: 05:00 PM, 17 August 2026

Duration: 2 Hours 37 Mins

In Gujarat, Nag Pnachami is celebrated 15 days later than other major cities in India. In Gujarat, Nag Panchami is celebrated on the Krishna Paksha of Shravan month.

In 2026, Nag Panchami will be celebrated on Tuesday, 1st September 2026 in Gujarat.

Significance of Nag Panchami

Usually human beings fear snakes all around the world but in Hinduism, snakes have a special place and are worshipped. In fact there are associated with most powerful deities like Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

On this day, Lord Krishna defeated Kaliya in the Yamuna river. Kaliya was a venomous snake and was hiding in the Yamuna river. Lord Krishna defeated Kaaliya and purified the Yamuna river from the poison.

After the defeat, Lord Krishna blessed Kaaliya that Garuda will not harm him and that he can go back to his home with his family. This day is celebrated as the victory of good over evil.

On this day, whoever worships the snakes, their prayers reaches serpent deites. In India, following deities are worshipped on Nag Panchami -

• Ananta
• Vasuki
• Shesha
• Padma
• Kambala
• Karkotaka
• Ashvatara
• Dhritarashtra
• Shankhapala
• Kaliya
• Takshaka
• Pingala

Nag Panchami Puja Vidhi

It is recommended to visit temples and observe the pooja on Nag Panchami day. If you are observing the Nag Panchami at home, then you can follow the following steps -

• Wake up early and take purifying bath
• Wear clean clothes
• Prepare rice vermicelli mexture. In lots of parts in India, people prepare food one day before of the Nag Panchami and then consume it on the day of the Nag Panchami.
• Setup the altar with 5 headed Naag devta image. Lot of devotees also draw the images of Nag devta with sandalwood on the doors for their welcome. It also protects the home from evil spirits and snake bites.
• Offer prayers and worship Nag devta by chanting "Anantadi Nagdevtabhyo Namah"
• Recite the following Nag Panchami mantra to seek the blessings of the Snake God-

ॐ भुजंगेशाय विद्महे,

सर्पराजाय धीमहि,

तन्नो नाग: प्रचोदयात्।।

• Offer milk, butter, jaggery and sweets as bhog
• Using flowers and sandalwood are highly recommended during the pooja as good aromas (fragrances) are considered sacred for worshipping snakes
• Observe the Nag Panchami fast
• Avoid grains, onions, garlic, meat, alcohol, and tamasic activities; focus on simple sattvic nourishment
• On Nag Panchami, digging the earth (ploughing) and cutting vegetables are prohibited to avoid accidentally harming snakes residing underground.

The Nagoba temple in the Nagpur district of Maharashtra is famous for organizing the Nag Panchami Pooja.

Nag Panchami Vrat Vidhi (Fasting Rules)

• The Nag Panchami fast is observed from sunrise till sunset
• Avoid eating grains, onion, garlic and non-veg
• Do not consume alcohol on the day of Nag Panchami
• Eat a simple sattvic food (sabudana, makhana, fruits, sweet potatoes etc,)
• Offer milk or Kheer to a snake (or a snake burrow) and then break the fast

Benefits of observing Nag Panchami Festival

• Health, wealth & Prosperity
• Peace and protection from evil
• Blessings of Nag Devata
• Removal of Kaal Sarp Dosha and Vastu Dosha
• Worshipping Nag Devata and performing Rudra Abhishekam liberates the hardships

Nag Panchami Mantras

सर्वे नागाः प्रीयन्तां मे ये केचित् पृथ्वीतले।

ये च हेलिमरीचिस्था येऽन्तरे दिवि संस्थिताः॥

ये नदीषु महानागा ये सरस्वतिगामिनः।

ये च वापीतडगेषु तेषु सर्वेषु वै नमः॥

Meaning - May the snakes who are staying in this world, sky, heaven, sun-rays, lakes, wells, ponds etc. bless us and we all salute them.

अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कम्बलम्।

शङ्ख पालं धृतराष्ट्रं तक्षकं कालियं तथा॥

एतानि नव नामानि नागानां च महात्मनाम्।

सायङ्काले पठेन्नित्यं प्रातःकाले विशेषतः।

तस्य विषभयं नास्ति सर्वत्र विजयी भवेत्॥

Meaning - The names of nine Nag Devtas are Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padmanabha, Kambala, Shankhapala, Dhritarashtra, Takshaka and Kaliya. If chanted regularly every day in the morning, will keep you protected from all evils and make you victorious in life.

Kal Sarpa Dosha Pooja

Nag Panchami is considered the most auspicious day to perform the Dosha Nivaran pooja.

By doing Rudra Abhishek pooja on the Nag Panchami, a persom can remove the Kal Sarp Dosha. A person suffering from Kal Sarp Dosha is beleived to go through a lot of hardships in life. By observing special poojas on this day, a person can relieve the Kal Sarpa Dosha.

Offering prayers to Lord Shiva and Nag Devta on this sacred day also liberates the person from Pitru Dosha.