Nag Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, August 17, on Shravana Shukla Panchami.
What the festival marks
The serpent deities (nagas) are worshipped on this day for protection from snakebite and for family prosperity. The festival falls in the heart of the monsoon season, when snakes are most active and frequently displaced from their underground burrows by heavy rains. The worship of nagas on this day is both spiritual and deeply practical in its origins.
In Hindu mythology, the nagas hold a significant place. Shesha Nag serves as the bed of Lord Vishnu. Vasuki was wrapped around Mount Mandara during the Samudra Manthan (ocean churning). And Shiva himself wears a serpent around his neck. Nag Panchami is a day of reverence for all these serpent deities, not just a single one.
Tradition also holds that placating the nagas on this day eases the effect of Kaal Sarp Dosha where present in a birth chart. Kaal Sarp Dosha forms when all seven planets are hemmed between Rahu and Ketu. If you’re unsure whether your chart has this dosha, you can check by entering your birth details on the kundli tool and looking at the planetary positions relative to Rahu-Ketu.
How the puja is done
The puja is typically done in the morning or early afternoon, any time during Panchami tithi. There is no specific pradosh-style window for this one, which makes the timing flexible. Most families worship a snake image drawn with turmeric on a wooden board, or a silver/stone naga idol. Milk, rice, and durva grass are offered. In some regions, live snakes are brought to the home by snake charmers and offered milk, though animal welfare concerns have reduced this practice in recent years.
A few regional variations worth knowing: in Maharashtra, Nag Panchami is a day when earthen digging is strictly avoided, as it’s believed to disturb the nagas. In parts of southern India, ant hills (considered naga dwellings) are worshipped directly. In Bengal, the day is associated with Manasa Devi, the serpent goddess, with her own set of rituals.
For those with Kaal Sarp Dosha
If your chart shows Kaal Sarp Dosha and you’ve been meaning to do a remedial puja, Nag Panchami is considered the most effective day for it. The puja can be performed at home or at a temple known for naga worship, like Trimbakeshwar near Nashik or Kukke Subramanya in Karnataka. For NRIs, a home puja with a silver naga idol and the recitation of the Nag Stotra is a practical alternative. The key is performing it during Panchami tithi, which you can confirm on the panchang page.
What to avoid on Nag Panchami
Tradition says to avoid ploughing or digging the earth on this day. Frying food is also traditionally avoided in many households, and the day’s meals are typically prepared without using a tava or frying pan. This varies by region, so follow your family’s custom.
Check the timing for your city
For the day’s Rahu Kaal so you can plan around it, check the muhurat page with your city selected.