Nag Panchami is a day of significant traditional worship of Nagas and it is observed on Shravana Shudha Panchami (Shravana masa, Shukla paksha Panchami tithi). As part of the festivities, a stone sculpture of Naga is worshipped with milk, fruits, flowers, and sweet.
History
Janamejaya, great grandson of Arjun and grandson of Abhimanyu, was performing a sarpa yaga, to avenge for the death of his father, King Parikshita from a snake bite by the snake king called Takshaka. Takshaka escaped and coiled himself to Indra’s chair, seeking Indra’s protection. But the force of the Yajna was so powerful that even Indra along with Takshaka were dragged towards Yajna Kunda. This made Deva GuruBrihaspati to intervene and convince Janamejaya to stop sarpa yaga. The day that the sacrifice was stopped, has since been observed as Naga Panchami.
Customs
A stone sculpture of Naga is worshipped with milk, fruits, flowers, and sweet. We offer Hodlu (Puffed Rice) and dry fried (or cooked over hot charcoal) jackfruit seeds for pooja. We also sprinkle Hodlu and dry fried jackfruit seeds on the floors of the house. It is a tradition to apply Madarangi (Mehendi) to both hands and feet on Nag Panchami. As a custom, we tie a rope swing (Jokali / Jhula) to a large tree and derive immense pleasure in swaying.
