Naga Panchami
Glorifying Snakes That Are Revered As Gods For Blessings Of Prosperity And Fertility
Nature Worship – Significant For Harmony And Overall Well-being
- From time immemorial, human beings worshipped nature for their blessings. From the sun that grants sunshine to the tiny plants that are a source of nourishment to both humans and animals, nature is a great source of livelihood without which man can’t survive.
- The snakes too are revered for their godly qualities and their mythological beliefs that they guard precious stones like the natural ruby gemstone and also for holding a significant position in the lives of gods and goddesses of the Indian pantheon.
- Lord Vishnu rests on serpent god Adi Sesha in Vaikunta, Lord Shiva carries Vasuki twirled around his neck, Lord Ganapathi wears Naga Yanopaveetham, the sacred thread worn on the left shoulder under the right arm at the time of Upanayanam, and his brother Lord Subramanya is worshipped in the form of a serpent.
- Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala wears Nagabharanam on his shoulders. Lord Krishna in his famous speech at the Mahabharata battle field tells Arjuna that he is Anantha among the Naga sect and Vasuki among serpents.
- Vasuki was used as a rope for churning the milky ocean in order to obtain the divine nectar of immortality.
Celebrating Naga Panchami With Full Faith & Religious Fervour
This day the auspicious Shukla Paksha Panchami Day during the month of Shravana is dedicated to the snake gods as a mark of reverence to Naga Adi Devata’s.
Aadi Sesha is worshipped on the days as Lord Brahma gave the serpents a boon that they would be worshipped by humans on earth. Due to the reason that snakes are glorified on the days of Chaturthi and Panchami with full faith and religious fervour, people draw pictures on walls and also visit snake dwellings to offer milk and other offerings.
They observe fast on the day of Naga Chaturthi and break the same on the next day by offering prayers to the Naga gods once again. The snakes are revered as gods for their blessings of prosperity and fertility.
Also, at a time when rains are heavy and pits and holes are filled with water, snakes lose their homes and roam freely around. People face the risk of snake bites and that’s exactly when Naga Panchami is celebrated. It’s a day of worship for the snakes asking them to show mercy on humanity.
Naga Panchami Rituals Satisfies Desires And Aspirations
Moreover, by fasting and performing rituals on Naga Panchami one’s desires and aspirations are fulfilled. It is also an auspicious day to do homas for serpents to remove Kaal Sarpa Dosha and other snake related doshas. Kala Sarpa dosha is so perilous that it stops all positive activities of a person, but for some fortunate ones, it causes utmost bliss and success.
Some of the serpentine gods worshipped on Naga Panchami are Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, Karkotaka, Ashvatara, Dhritarashtra, Shankapala, Kaliya, Takshaka and Pingala. Some of them like Anantha or Sesha Naga are worshipped for begetting male child, Vasuki for begetting female child, Shankapala cures skin diseases and Karkkotaka wipes out sins.
Naga Panchami is also observed as Garuda Panchami as Lord Garuda is worshipped on the day. We need to accept the fact that festivals to snakes and birds convey the message that we need to be harmonious with nature and all species that live on earth. Maybe that’s why such festivals are celebrated.
Sarpa Dosha Nivaranam on Naga Panchami day
Sarpa Dosha Nivaranam on Naga Panchami day gives you the opportunity to seek protection against snake influences, afflictions, killing of snakes and snake bites and also receive blessings for the welfare of the family and children for all material gains. Unmarried women, who undertake fasting, perform puja and feed milk to snakes will get perfect partner, while childless couples will be blessed with offspring.
