Nag Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day in Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan or Sawan. This year it falls on August 5, 2019. The festival is observed by the Hindus around the world as the day of worship of snakes and serpents.
As per the legends and the myths related to it, the abode of snakes which is Patal Loka and on this day they are called upon for their blessings and the welfare of the family. Serpent deities made of silver, wood, stone, paintings along with the milk are offered on this day.
Significance of Nag Panchami
In Mahabharata, the son of king Parikshita, Janamejeya of the kuru dynasty was performing snake sacrifice known as Sarpa Satra to avenge the death of his father through snake bite by the snake king Takasaka.
The sacrifice was powerful that only snakes of the world but kings of the gods Indra along with Takshak started getting drowned to the fire as well.
The crisis scared the god who then appealed to Goddess Manasa to intervene and resolve the matter. She requested her son Astika to go to the site of the Yagan and urge Janamejaya. Astika impressed the king with his knowledge of all the Shastras who granted him a boon.
Astika requested the king to stop the Sarpa Satra and since the Nagas were pared that day, it is celebrated as the day of Nagas.
Nag Panchami also marks the time Lord Krishna as a boy defeated Kaliya.
Date, time of Nag Panchami
Sunrise: August 5, 6:02 am
Sunset: August 5, 7:02 pm
Nag Panchami 2019 Tithi begins: August 4, 6:49 pm
Nag Panchami 2019 Tithi ends: August 5, 3:54 pm
Sawan Shivratri 2019: Date, time, significance of the auspicious festival
