Nag Panchami is a popular festival that is celebrated throughout India. It takes place on the fifth day (Panchami) of the “Shukla Paksha” (moonlit fortnight) in the Hindu month of Shravan (July or August). On this day, snakes are worshipped. Monsoon is the time when snakes leave their holes, that get filled with rainwater, and enter gardens and houses. As they pose danger for humans, they are worshipped and kept happy in order to protect mankind from harm. Nag Panchami is celebrated predominately in South India. But some parts of North India also celebrate this festival. Temples where Nag Panchami is observed are Hardevja Temple in Jaipur, Nagaraja Temple in Kerala, Adiesha Temple in Andhra Pradesh and Nagathamman Temple in Chennai. Have you ever participated in Nag Panchami festival?
Nag Panhchami is observed very well in Andhra, In chennai only very few care about it. They worship Nagathamman but not as particular as in Andhra.
ofcourse even at karnataka people do celebrate Naga Panchami. Special pujas will be done for Nagaraja/Vasuki Stone idols at the temples.Milk is poured over the idols. A yellow thread with a flower tied to it is tied to other ladies at the family or at the temples (3/5/7...number of people) and Arishina kunkuma is exchanged. On the fifth day of the bright half of Shravan people worship the snake/nagas. Usually Naga Panchami is celebrated for welfare of Husband & inlaws family...the day before pachami is Naga chouti... Naga Chowti is celebrated for the welfare of Parents (tavaru) house specially for bondage of Brothers & sisters . The celebration differs from place to place & region to region in karnataka itself. People visit temples specially dedicated to snakes and worship them. Shiva temples are also favoured places for veneration as snakes are considered dear to him. Even at Anantha padmanabha swamy temple special puajs will be held. On this day, devotees pour milk into all the holes in the ground around the house or near the temple to propitiate them. Sometimes, a small pot of milk with some flowers is placed near the holes so that the snakes may drink it. If a snake actually drinks the milk, it is considered to be extremely lucky for the devotee. Legend has it that the serpents are believed to have the capability to change their shape at will. When in human form, they are depicted as beautiful women and handsome men. The victory of Krishna over the Kaliya snake is commemorated on this day. It is one of the oldest festivals, many women fast on this day. According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes called Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shravan, they ensure freedom from danger for their families. Special dishes made of black Sesame seeds, raw rice flour & jaggery are made and offered as prasadam. Even soaked Whole channa dal & soaked rice is also offered. Some family does not fry anything on that day. (Deep fried dishes are not prepared) After puja, little mud from the ant hole (hutta) is brought home & offered as kunkuma & some people do mix a little in the teertam. People with Naaga doshas do special pujas at huttas or at temples and offer (as daana) idols of snake made of silver or gold to brahmins. Note: Snakes can not survive in moisture, hence never pour milk directly into the Ant hole... its better and safe if poured on stone snake idols. Some slokas to remember: Naagaraja moola mantra Om Naga Raja Maha Baaga Mangalya Saukiyaprrata Pasun putran thanam thehi Om naga rajaya namaha Meaning: It will remove all effectes of posion, enemies, and ensure good children. ********************************************************** TO WARD OFF ENEMIES AND POISON RECITE THIS SLOKA: (ancient origin) Ananthou Vaasuki Shesho Padmanabhascha Kambalaha Shanka Padou Darta Rashtrou Takshakaha Kaliya Sootha Yethani Nava Naamani Naagaa Naamcha Mahatmanaam Saayam Kaale Pate Nithyam Pratha Kaale Visheshaha Tasmay Visha Bhayam Naasti Sarvatra Vijayee Bhaveth. *********************************** FOR GOOD PROGENY: Nagaraja Namasthesthu Haraharayitha Dehine Hara Me Sakalan Rogan Dada Me Sath Prajam Drisam. MEANING: Salutations to Sri Nagaraja, who adorns Sri Siva's Body, please destroy all illness in me and bless me with good progeny (to be chanted by pregnant women) is chanted to propriate a gracious Yakshini who lives by the side of Himalays and guards pregnant women. The Navanaga slokam can be chanted at all times and by pregnant women. THIS slokam is called Navanaga stotram and is addressed to the nine divine serpents who bear the earth and protect us and our progeny. ******************************************** While Doing puja with flower. Akshate`etc for Ant holes/hutta/idol chant: Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha-3 times Om Aaadhishenaaya Namaha Om Ananthanaaya Namaha Om Vaasukiye Namaha Om ThatchagaNaaya Namaha Om KaarkoDakanaaya Namaha Om Padmanaaya Namaha Om Maha Padmanaaya Namaha Om Shankanaaya Namaha Om Kuliganaaya Namaha Sarpa Gaayathri Om dhanShtraa PhaNaaya vidhmahE suvarNa punjaaya Dheemahi | tannah sarpah prachOdayath || Naagaraaja Gaayathri BhujangEShaaya vidhmahE sarpajaathaaya Dheemahi | tannO naagah prachOdayaath || Naaga stOtra: The following mantras can be used either for prostrations (namaskaaras) or while feeding the snakes: Brahma - lOkE cha yE sarpaah ShEShanaagaah purOgamaah | namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||1|| viShNu – lOkE cha yE sarpaah vaasuki pramuKhaaShchayE namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||2|| rudra – lOke cha yE sarpaah thakShakah pramuKhaasthaThaa | namOstutEBhyah supreethaah prasannaah santhu mE sadhaa ||3|| Childless couples (both) should chant the following mantra: anantha sarpa raaja tvam putra pautra samanvitham | aputrasya chE mE putra sampadancha kuru praBho ||
wow suma this was really a superb write-up on the festival....thanks for sharing such detailed information along with mantras too :thumbsup
