Nag Panchami is dedicated to the worship of Naga, or Snakes, and is an important festival in India
Nagas are worshipped in Hindu religion and snakes are always depicted with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, two of the most popular Gods in Hinduism. Lord Vishnu lies on Snake Ananta in the milky ocean and Lord Shiva has snakes as ornament and this close association has deep symbolic meaning. Nag Panchami is a form of nature worship extolling the importance of the coexistence of animals and human beings.
Nagas are worshipped in Hindu religion and snakes are always depicted with Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva, two of the most popular Gods in Hinduism. Lord Vishnu lies on Snake Ananta in the milky ocean and Lord Shiva has snakes as ornament and this close association has deep symbolic meaning. Nag Panchami is a form of nature worship extolling the importance of the coexistence of animals and human beings.
नाग पंचमी पूजन विधि
- एक बात हर किसी को ध्यान में रखनी चाहिए कि सपेरे द्वारा पकड़े गए नाग का पूजन करने से बचें। नाग का पूजन सदैव नाग मंदिर में ही करना श्रेष्ठ रहता है।
- शास्त्रों में नौ नाग के नाम अनंत, वासुकी, शेष, पद्मनाभ, कंबला, शंखपाल, धृतराष्ट्र, तक्षशक व कालिया बताए हैं। नगुला चौथ पर 9 नागों के नाम स्मरण करने व नीलकंठ महादेव के पूजन से स्वयं महादेव भक्त की रक्षा कर जीवन में विजयी बनाते हैं। घर परिवार की सुरक्षा होती है व संचित धन के नाश से मुक्ति मिलती है।
- ज्योतिषाचार्य के अनुसार नागदेव की पूजा में हल्दी का प्रयोग अवश्य करें।
- धूप, दीप अगरबत्ती से पूजन करें एवं देवताओं के समान ही मीठा भोग एवं नारियल अर्पण करें।
नाग पूजन मंत्र
ॐ भुजंगेशाय विद्महे, सर्पराजाय धीमहि, तन्नो नाग: प्रचोदयात्॥When is Nag Panchami observed?
Nag Panchami is observed in eastern parts ofHow is Nag Panchami Observed?
On the Nag Panchami day, people worship the snake idols which are found in almost every village in India. Some people offer prayer near anthills. Prayers are also offered at Lord Shiva temples as snakes are the ornaments of Shiva.
In many places, two images of snakes are drawn on both sides of doors using cow dung on this day. Five-hooded idols are worshipped in many regions. The idol of five-hooded snake is made using mud, turmeric, sandal and saffron.
Manasa Devi, the snake goddess, is worshipped on this day in Bengal, Orissa and several parts of North India . Special idols of Goddess Manasa are made and are worshipped. Nagaraja, Ananta and other Snake deities are worshipped on the day in other regions.
People also observe Naga Panchami Vrata on the day – some Hindu communities fast during the daytime and eat food only after sunset. Some people avoid salt and deep fried food items on the day. Some people fast on Naga Chaturthi day, which falls a day before.
Some Hindu communities in South India have an elaborate oil bath on the day. There is a belief that unmarried women who undertake Naga Panchami Vrat and do the puja to Nagas will get good husbands.
Popular Belief Associated With Nag Panchami
Popular belief is that Lord Krishna defeated snake Kaliya on Nag Panchami day. The monsoon season is at is peak during the period (July – August) and snakes move out of their burrows, which are filled with water, and occupy spaces frequented by human beings. So it is widely believed that Naga Panchami is observed to please the Nagas and avoid snake bites during this season.
Please Don't Feed Milk To Snakes
Milk is offered to the snake idols on Nag Panchami. In some extreme form of worship people feed live cobras – offering milk and eggs to the snakes, especially to cobras near snake pits. Some people also decorate snake pits, known as Valmeekam or Puttu. Snake charmers also bring cobras to villages and towns which are fed with milk by devotees. Such practices should not be encouraged as it endangers the life of snakes.
Forcefully feeding snakes, pouring milk into snake pits and bursting crackers should be discouraged. This only leads to the death of snakes. Snakes don’t drink milk but the practice has been encouraged by popular beliefs.
Worship of Nagas is a constant reminder to humans to live in harmony with Nature. And the ideal way to worship Nagas is by protecting the forests and grooves that are home of snakes and other animals.
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