Naga Panchmi
Naga Panchmi is always celebrated in the month of July or August. The day of Nag Panchami is the fifth day after Amavasya in the month of Shravan. Naga Panchmi is a unique festival that is celebrated to worship snakes. Nag is a Hindu term used for snakes. The festival of Nag Panchami has its own religious importance and is celebrated in many parts of the country.
The association of snakes with the Hindu is not a new thing. There are many mythological stories that state that snakes have always been connected to the Hindu religion. Lord Shiva himself has a snake that can always be seen around his neck and Lord Vishnu has snake too named as Sheshnag. Therefore it is clear that there is a special significance in worshipping snake on the day of Nag Panchami.
Women will wake up early in the morning and wear clean clothes and will reach their destination where they offer prayers. The places meant for worshipping snakes includes the nearest Ant hill or any temple that is dedicated to snakes. Women then worship the snakes and also offer milk in respect.
Women innocently ask Lord snake to bless the life of their husband, brothers and family as well. Some people also observe fast on the day before Naga Panchmi and that day has been named as Nag Chaturthi.
The most important part of the rituals performed during the Naga Panchmi festival is the Naga Panchmi puja. The nag panchami puja is a pious medium of celebrating Naga Panchmi with never ending faith and devotion. The essence of Nag Panchami Puja makes the festival of Nag panchami even more pure and beautiful.
The Story of Nag Panchami is very interesting and is related to the Lord Krishna. The Nag Panchami story signifies the victory of good in a very simple manner. Once, there was a nag named Kalia during the era of Lord Krishna. His evil deeds were increasing day by day. His terror was not allowing people to have a life of their choice. To end this tyranny Lord Krishna came up and killed the Nag with his brave actions. The day on which nag was killed is celebrated as Nag Panchami. Nag Panchami is an ancient hindu festival and its glory will keep on glowing in the coming time too.
There are many beliefs related to Nag Panchami. People also believe that worshipping a Nag on this day will keep them and their family safe from all the snakes forever. Keep the faith alive in your hearth and perform the Naga Panchmi puja in 2014. It will bring immense happiness and will also ensure the safety of your loved ones.
Veda Vyasa, collected the Vedic Texts of prayer under the Rig Veda, the Vedic texts of rituals under the Yajur Veda, the musical form of the Vedic texts under the Sama Veda and such of the Vedic texts that dispelled dangers and annihilated enemies under the Atharvana Veda.