Nag Panchami 2025: Date, Shubh Muhurat, Puja Vidhi, and significance

Nag Panchami is a significant Hindu festivals celebrated with great pomp and show. The festival is dedicated to the worship of snakes. The festival falls on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight in the month of Shravana, typically in July or August. The word 'Nag' means 'snake,' while 'Panchami' refers to the 'fifth' day.

History

As per Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was a child playing by the Yamuna River when his ball got stuck in the branches of a tree. While trying to retrieve the ball, he was attacked by the venomous serpent Kaliya. Lord Krishna bravely fought the snake till the latter begged him to spare its life. Lord Krishna, showing compassion, spared its life, and this event is marked as the symbol of Krishna’s triumph in protecting humanity from the threat posed by Kaliya, the most poisonous snake.

Some of the snake gods that people worship in India on Nag Panchami are Ananta, Shesha, Vasuki, Kambala, Padma, and Kaliya.

Date and Timings

This year, Nag Panchami falls on July 29 (Tuesday).

Puja Muhurat—05:41 AM to 08:23 AM

The auspicious muhurat will last for 2 hours and 43 minutes.

Panchami Tithi Begins - 11:24 PM on July 28

Panchami Tithi Ends - 12:46 AM on July 30

Brahma Muhurta—04:17 AM to 04:59 AM

Abhijit Muhurta - 12:00 PM to 12:55 PM

Vijaya Muhurta - 02:43 PM to 03:37 PM

Sunrise—05:41 AM

Sunset—07:14 PM

Moonrise—09:50 AM

Additionally, Nag Panchami coincides with the Mangala Gauri Vrat, making it a special occasion during the ongoing celebrations of the holy month of Sawan.

Ritual and significance

It is believed that wearing new clothes and offering any milk-based product on Nag Panchami is very auspicious. People normally offer milk, kheer, and sweets to the deity seeking good health and prosperity in their lives.

Many observe fasts and feed the poor to mark this day. Some devotees also make snake idols at home with clay. Flowers, water, turmeric, and milk are offered to the idols placed near holes or burrows. Houses are also decorated with rangoli.

It is believed that worshipping snakes on this festival allows devotees’ prayers to reach the serpent deities, reducing negativity from their lives.