Goga Navami 2023: Date, History, Significance, Rituals

Goga Navami 2023: Goga Navami (Hindi: ), also known as Guga Naumi, is a day devoted to the worship of Lord Guga, the Snake God. Goga Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight of the moon) during the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapad. In the English calendar, the celebration occurs between August and September.

Goga Navami 2023 occurs on Friday, September 8, 2023.

6 days to go for the event

Goga Navami 2023: History

In Hinduism, Gogaji, also known as “Jahar Veer Gogga,” is a prominent folk deity who is revered with devotion in the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab. Widespread belief holds that He appeared on Bhadrapad Krishna Paksha Navami, so Hindu devotees devoted this day to his honour. In the northern regions of India, especially in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, Goga Navami is commemorated with great fanfare and enthusiasm. On Goga Navami, grand fairs and three-day celebrations are conducted in Rajasthan.

Important Timings On Goga Navami 2023

Rituals observed on Goga Navami:

On Goga Navami, devotees venerate the ‘Gugaji’ deity. He is observed riding a blue horse and carrying yellow and blue flags. In some regions, the worship of Lord Goga begins on ‘Shravana Purnima’ (that day of Raksha Bandhan) and continues for nine days, until ‘Navami’. Because of this, it is also known as Goga Navami. At the conclusion, devotees recite the Gogaji katha.

After the conclusion of puja ceremonies, devotees are given rice and chapatti as Prasad.

On this day, various pujas and processions are held in Guga Mari temples. On Goga Navami, Hindu devotees also tie Rakhi or Raksha stotra to Lord Goga as a promise of protection against any damage or injury.

During the time of Goga Navami, rural areas of northern and northwestern India host elaborate festivals at various locations. The Guga Navami Mela in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, is the largest and most renowned of all the fairs and melas.

Importance of the Goga Navami:

Goga Navami is one of the most important Hindu celebrations held in commemoration of Gogaji. According to legend, Guga was a potent Rajput prince with supernatural abilities to control poisonous snakes. As part of rituals, various versions of his tales are told on this day. Some of the tales describe his divine birth, marriage, family life, wars, extraordinary ability to cure snake bites, and disappearance from the planet.

Hindus believe that if they worship Him on this day, they will be protected from snakes and other calamities. In addition, it is widely believed that Lord Guga protects children from all injury. Therefore, on Goga Navami, married women perform pujas and pray to Him for the health and longevity of their offspring. Some childless married women pray on this day for the gift of children.

Goga Navami festival dates between 2023 & 2030