Nag Panchami 2026: Date, Story of the Serpent God, and How to Worship
Nag Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, 17 August 2026 in most parts of India. It is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Nag Devta (the serpent god), observed on the Panchami tithi of Shukla Paksha during the holy month of Shravan.
This guide covers the exact date and timings, the old stories behind the festival, region-by-region rituals, famous temples, and a complete puja vidhi.
Nag Panchami 2026 Date and Time
Nag Panchami 2026 date: Monday, 17 August 2026.
This date applies across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, since these states follow the Purnimanta lunar calendar.
Nag Panchami 2026 tithi and muhurat:
| Detail | Timing |
| Panchami Tithi begins | 4:52 PM on 16 August 2026 |
| Panchami Tithi ends | 5:00 PM on 17 August 2026 |
| Puja Muhurat | 6:04 AM to 8:39 AM on 17 August 2026 |
Nag Panchami 2026 in Gujarat
Gujarat follows the Amanta lunar calendar, which calculates the lunar month differently. As a result, Nag Pancham in Gujarat falls on 1 September 2026, about two weeks after the rest of the country and just three days before Krishna Janmashtami, which falls on 4 September 2026.
Regional names also vary. In Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the festival is called Nagula Chavithi. In West Bengal it overlaps with Manasa Puja, dedicated to the snake goddess Manasa.
The Story of Nag Panchami
Two old stories explain the origin of Nag Panchami.
Story 1: King Janamejaya and the Naga Yajna
In the Mahabharata, King Parikshit died from the bite of Takshak, the king of serpents, after a curse. His son, King Janamejaya, launched a Sarpa Yajna (snake sacrifice) to destroy the entire Naga race in revenge. As the ritual killed serpent after serpent, a sage named Astika, born to a Naga mother and Brahmin father, intervened. He convinced Janamejaya to stop the yajna and spared the remaining serpents. The day this sacrifice ended is now observed as Nag Panchami, a day of protection and mercy toward serpents.
Story 2: Krishna and Kaliya Naag
As a child in Vrindavan, Lord Krishna dove into the Yamuna river to confront Kaliya, a poisonous multi-hooded serpent that had contaminated the water and threatened the villagers of Gokul. Krishna danced on Kaliya’s hoods, subdued him, and forced him to leave the river, protecting the people of Gokul from his venom. This victory is believed to have occurred on the same Panchami tithi in Shravan month.
Nagas as Guardians of Wealth
Beyond these two stories, Hindu old stories also show Nagas as guardians of treasure and wealth, who live in Patala, the world below the earth. This adds a feeling of prosperity and protection to the festival, separate from the Janamejaya and Kaliya legends.
Serpents and Lord Shiva
Snakes also matter a lot in Shiva worship. Lord Shiva is depicted wearing Vasuki, a cobra, around his neck, showing his power over fear and death. Since Nag Panchami falls in Shravan, a month sacred to Shiva, this makes the festival feel even more sacred.
Snakes are also linked to Kundalini Shakti, the coiled energy that yoga teachings say rests at the base of the spine. Worship on this day is believed to help wake up this inner energy. Some sources also note that in 2026, the Moon’s bright phase on Panchami along with favorable positions of Jupiter and Mercury is considered supportive for spiritual practice and meditation on this day.
Regional Celebrations Across India
Nag Panchami rituals look different from state to state. Here’s how different states observe the day.
- Maharashtra: Women draw snake images at the entrance of homes using turmeric or cow dung paste and perform aarti. A ritual called Naga Bandhan is also observed, where a sacred thread is tied around the house or courtyard for protection. Since frying and cutting are avoided on this day, meals shift to steamed and boiled preparations, with Puran Poli, a jaggery-and-lentil flatbread, as the festive centerpiece. The city of Nagpur takes its name directly from “Nag.”
- Karnataka: Devotees visit ancient snake temples and, in some areas, take part in processions where live snakes are carried in pots, accompanied by drumming and chanting. Families also worship stone Naga idols placed under trees.
- Kerala: The festival is closely tied to farming life. Farmers worship snake idols to protect their crops, and anthills are treated as sacred homes of the Nagas.
- South India (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh): In a ritual with echoes of Raksha Bandhan, married women visit their parental homes, perform puja at anthills or snake idols, and apply flowers dipped in the offered milk onto their brothers’ backs as a blessing.
- West Bengal and Assam: The festival centers on Manasa Devi, the snake goddess, rather than Nag Devta directly. Clay idols of Manasa are worshipped with milk and flowers, alongside processions and community feasts.
- Uttar Pradesh and Bihar: Large temple gatherings take place, with folk songs, fairs, and cultural performances narrating the legend of Nag Devta.
- Nepal: Images of Nag Devta are placed on doors, and rituals are also held at the Pashupatinath temple.
The Battis Shirale Tradition
One of the most well-known local traditions comes from Battis Shirale, a village in Sangli district, Maharashtra, which became famous across the country for its big Nag Panchami gatherings with live snakes. Rules around handling wild animals have since changed how the event is run, but it remains a major local occasion and one of the most searched regional variations of this festival.
Famous Nag Panchami Temples in India
If you want to mark the day at a temple known specifically for serpent worship, these are among the most visited:
- Mannarasala Temple, Kerala
- Nagoba Temple, Maharashtra
- Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, Karnataka
- Ghati Subramanya Swamy Temple, Doddaballapura, Karnataka
- Naganath Swamy Temple, Tamil Nadu
Nag shrines are also commonly found within the premises of larger temples across the country, so a nearby temple with a Naga idol works just as well if these aren’t accessible.
Snake Conservation and Nag Panchami Today
Traditionally, snake charmers brought live cobras to villages on this day, and devotees offered them milk and coins directly. This practice has changed significantly in recent years. Capturing, displaying, and handling wild snakes is not allowed under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, and wildlife conservation groups strongly advise against it, since it causes serious harm and stress to the animals. Live snakes are often kept without food or water and can suffer physical harm during handling.
As a result, most devotees today direct their worship toward snake idols, painted images, or anthills rather than live snakes. This change shows people are trying to honor the festival’s true spirit while also being kind to animals, and it’s worth keeping in mind if you come across live snake displays being promoted around this festival.
Astrological Importance of Nag Panchami 2026
In Vedic astrology, snakes are closely linked to two planets called Rahu and Ketu. These two are believed to cause fear, delays, and sudden problems in a person’s life. This is why Nag Panchami is seen as such an important day for astrology.
Kaal Sarp Dosh and Sarpa Dosha: When every planet in a person’s birth chart falls between Rahu and Ketu, it creates something called Kaal Sarp Yoga (also known as Kaal Sarp Dosh). People believe this can bring delays, stress, and repeated problems in career, marriage, or health. Nag Panchami is seen as the best day of the year to do special pujas to fix this problem, since worshipping the snake gods is believed to calm down Rahu and Ketu’s bad effects.
Sarpa Dosha is a smaller, related problem. It happens when just Rahu or Ketu (not the whole chart) sits in a tricky spot. Common remedies people follow on this day include:
- Pouring milk over a Shivling or Naga idol
- Chanting the Nag Devta mantra or the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra
- Giving food to Brahmins, or donating black sesame seeds and iron items, since both are linked to Rahu and Ketu
- Visiting a Naga temple and asking a priest to perform a Sarpa Shanti puja
Planet positions in 2026: This year, the Panchami tithi falls during a bright moon phase, and Jupiter and Mercury are said to be in good positions too, according to several panchang sources. This is seen as a good combination for prayer and meditation, which makes the puja window of 6:04 AM to 8:39 AM an especially good time to do these remedies this year.
Who this matters most for:
Astrologers usually suggest this day to people who:
- Have Kaal Sarp Yoga or Sarpa Dosha in their birth chart
- Have Rahu or Ketu sitting in a tricky house (1st, 5th, 7th, or 8th)
- Keep facing setbacks even when things should be going well
- Are currently going through a Rahu or Ketu Mahadasha (a long planetary phase)
It’s worth keeping in mind that Kaal Sarp Dosh and its remedies come from traditional belief, not science that’s been proven. It’s a good idea to talk to a qualified astrologer before doing any big rituals.
Significance of Nag Panchami
Nag Panchami holds both spiritual and practical significance:
- Kaal Sarp Dosh remedy: People with Rahu-Ketu problems or Kaal Sarp Yoga in their birth chart worship Nag Devta for relief.
- Protection from snakebite: Families pray for safety from snakes and related misfortune through the year.
- Agricultural gratitude: Snakes protect crops and grain stores by controlling rodents, making this festival meaningful to farming communities during peak monsoon season.
- Symbol of fertility and balance: Serpents represent renewal, fertility, and the hidden forces of nature in Hindu belief.
How to Worship on Nag Panchami: Step-by-Step Puja Vidhi
Follow these steps for a traditional Nag Panchami puja vidhi at home.
Step 1: Purification. Wake up before sunrise and take a ritual bath. Wear clean clothing for the puja.
Step 2: Set up the Nag Devta image. Since live snakes are not used, a symbolic image works instead. This can be drawn with turmeric or sandalwood paste near the main door, or represented through a silver, stone, or clay idol placed at the home altar.
Step 3: Offer milk and sacred items. Bathe the image with milk, a ritual known as abhishekam. Follow with offerings of fresh flowers, turmeric, kumkum, raw rice (akshat), and sweets such as kheer.
Step 4: Light the diya and perform aarti. Light an oil lamp and incense sticks near the image and offer the aarti.
Step 5: Recite the Nag Panchami Vrat Katha. Read or listen to the story of Janamejaya and Astika, or the tale of Krishna and Kaliya.
Step 6: Observe the fast. Many devotees fast from sunrise to sunset, avoiding fried and salty food. The fast is typically broken with prasad such as kheer or sabudana khichdi.
Step 7: Chant the Nag Devta mantra.
“Om Bhujanga Kumaraya Vidmahe, Sarpa Rajaya Dhimahi, Tanno Nag Prachodayat”
This mantra is chanted while offering milk and flowers to ask for protection and blessings.
What to Avoid on Nag Panchami
- Avoid digging or ploughing the earth, since this may disturb snake burrows.
- Avoid fried, spicy, or salty food while fasting.
- Avoid cutting vegetables with a knife as a sign of non-violence.
- Avoid frying food in oil, since the sizzling sound is believed to harm snakes, according to folk belief.
Conclusion
Nag Panchami 2026, observed on 17 August (1 September in Gujarat), is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of the Shravan season, spanning states from Maharashtra to Karnataka to West Bengal. Based on the stories of Janamejaya’s Naga Yajna and Krishna’s victory over Kaliya, and celebrated differently, from Battis Shirale’s live-snake tradition to Bengal’s Manasa Devi worship, the festival brings together old stories, astrology, farming, and, more and more, care for animals, all in a single day. Whether marked with a milk offering at a temple, a turmeric drawing at the doorway, or a full-day vrat, Nag Panchami remains a meaningful reminder of how India has long respected nature and its unseen forces.
FAQs on Nag Panchami 2026
Q1. When is Nag Panchami in 2026?
Nag Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, 17 August 2026, across most of India. In Gujarat, it is observed on 1 September 2026.
Q2. What is the puja muhurat for Nag Panchami 2026?
The auspicious puja muhurat on 17 August 2026 is from 6:04 AM to 8:39 AM. Timings can vary slightly by a few minutes depending on the panchang source, so it is best to confirm with a local panchang.
Q3. Why is Nag Panchami celebrated?
Nag Panchami is celebrated to honor Nag Devta, the serpent god, and to remember two key stories: King Janamejaya halting the Naga Yajna after Sage Astika’s plea, and Lord Krishna’s defeat of the serpent Kaliya in the Yamuna river.
Q4. Is fasting compulsory on Nag Panchami?
Fasting is a common tradition but not mandatory. Many devotees observe a sunrise-to-sunset vrat, while others simply perform the puja without a formal fast.
Q5. What should be offered to Nag Devta on this day?
Milk, fresh flowers, turmeric, kumkum, raw rice, and sweets like kheer are the traditional offerings made to Nag Devta during the puja.
Q6. Why is the date different in Gujarat?
Gujarat follows the Amanta lunar calendar, which calculates the lunar month differently from the Purnimanta calendar used in most other Indian states. This shifts Nag Pancham to 1 September 2026 in Gujarat.
Q7. Do people still worship live snakes on Nag Panchami?
Less commonly than in the past. Capturing and displaying wild snakes is not allowed under India’s Wildlife Protection Act, and wildlife groups discourage the practice due to animal welfare concerns. Most devotees now worship idols, painted images, or anthills instead.
Q8. Which temples are best known for Nag Panchami celebrations?
Mannarasala Temple in Kerala, Nagoba Temple in Maharashtra, and Kukke Subrahmanya Temple in Karnataka are among the most visited temples for serpent worship on this day.
Q9. What is the Nag Panchami mantra?
The commonly chanted mantra is: “Om Bhujanga Kumaraya Vidmahe, Sarpa Rajaya Dhimahi, Tanno Nag Prachodayat,” recited while offering milk and flowers to the serpent deity.
Q10. Is Nag Panchami good for Kaal Sarp Dosh remedies?
Yes. Nag Panchami is seen as the best day of the year to do special pujas for Kaal Sarp Dosh and Sarpa Dosha, since worshipping Nag Devta on this day is believed to calm down Rahu and Ketu, the two planets linked to these problems.
Q11. What is not allowed on Nag Panchami?
Digging the earth, ploughing land, frying food in oil, and cutting vegetables with a knife are traditionally avoided on this day out of respect for serpents.
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