Nag panchami is the most celebrated festival of Hindus in the southern part of India. During this festival, people worship the serpents, especially the Naag Snake which is believed to be adorned by Lord Shiva around his neck. This religious festival is celebrated on the fifth day of the Shravan month which generally falls between the months of July and August.

In order to be protected by venomous snakes and serpents, people in villages started this practise of worshipping the snake God. Also, this ritual creates awareness among people to save animals and nature. The puja is also performed to overcome the malefic effects of Rahu and Ketu doshas.

By performing this ritual with complete devotion and dedication, the performer will benefit in numerous ways like

• The performer of this puja will be freed from the ill effects of Kalasarpa dosha.
• Childless couples will be blessed with healthy progeny
• The puja removes the fear of snakes
• This puja enhances the chances of getting ancestral property and you will be accumulating adequate wealth.
• Nag panchami puja is an effective way to overcome vastu related doshas

Legends state that on the day of panchami, King of Snakes Takshaka and his group was protected by Maa Mansa Devi from getting destroyed. There is another story where in King Parikshit’s son Janamejaya performed Sarpa Satra yagna to kill the king of Serpents - Takshaka. All the gods requested to stop the yagna and finally Astika Muni was successful in stopping the yagna.

In Hindu mythology there are several snake gods but here are few names of them:

Takshaka, Vasuki, Ananta, Karkotaka, Pingala, Shesha, Kaliya, Ashvatara, Dhritarashtra, and Shankhapala.

This festival is basically celebrated for two days wherein on Chaturthi that is a day before panchami, women and kids visit temples and perform puja to the snake idol. The next day, snake idols made using clay are worshipped at home.

Varieties of ladoos are prepared during this festival to offer to the deity and milk is poured on the idol of snake. White flowers are used in the puja as white is the colour of serpent god. Ghee lamps are lit in front of the idol and the powerful snake mantra “Om Navkullaya Vidmahe Vishdantaaye Dhimahi Tanno Sarpah Prachodayat '' is recited.