Nag Panchami 2026 — Monday, 17 August 2026
Nag Panchami is the annual Hindu festival honoring the Naga Devatas (serpent gods), observed on Shravana Shukla Panchami. Devotees offer milk, kumkum, and prayers to the 8 sacred serpents for protection from snakebite, family well-being, and freedom from Kala Sarpa Dosha.
When is Nag Panchami 2026?
Nag Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, 17 August 2026.
- Date: 17 August 2026
- Tithi: Shravana Shukla Panchami
- Tithi timing: Panchami begins 4:52 PM on 16 August 2026, ends 5:00 PM on 17 August 2026 (IST)
- Nakshatra: Hasta / Chitra (regional)
- Sun Rashi: Simha (Leo)
- Masa: Shravana Masam
- Presiding Deity: Naga Devatas (Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Shankha, Kulika)
Significance
Nag Panchami honors the eight great serpents — Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Shankha, and Kulika — collectively called the Ashta Naga. In Hindu cosmology, serpents guard cosmic waters, wear Lord Shiva as an ornament (Vasuki around his neck), form the couch of Vishnu (Ananta Shesha), and support the earth. The festival originates from multiple Puranic episodes: Krishna's subjugation of Kaliya in the Yamuna; Astika's intervention that stopped King Janamejaya's snake sacrifice (saving the entire Naga race); and the churning of the ocean where Vasuki served as the rope. Observing Nag Panchami is believed to protect against snake-bite, avert Kala Sarpa Dosha in the horoscope, cure skin diseases, and bring prosperity to the family lineage.
Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step)
- Wake before sunrise on Panchami tithi (17 August 2026), bathe, and wear clean cotton attire.
- Do NOT dig the earth, plough fields, or cook on iron griddles on this day — considered offensive to Nagas.
- Draw or install images of the eight Nagas on a wall, wooden board, or copper plate at the puja sthal.
- Perform Sankalpa: state your intent to worship Naga Devatas for family well-being and protection from snake-related fears.
- Offer haldi (turmeric), kumkum, sandalwood paste, and akshat (unbroken rice) to each Naga image.
- Offer white flowers (jasmine, lotus, or Naga-champa) — never red flowers to Nagas.
- Milk offering (Kshira Abhisheka): pour cow's milk over the Naga images / a live anthill / a nearby Naga temple deity.
- Chant the Ashta Naga names 108 times: Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Shankha, Kulika.
- Offer naivedya: fried grains (poha), coconut, jaggery, and khichdi made without turmeric or onion-garlic.
- Perform aarti with a pure ghee lamp and conclude with Kshama Yachana (asking forgiveness for any unknown harm to serpents).
Auspicious Muhurat & Timings
Puja muhurat: 5:51 AM to 8:29 AM IST (duration ~2h 37min) on 17 August 2026 — reference longitude Delhi. Panchami tithi runs 4:52 PM on 16 Aug → 5:00 PM on 17 Aug. For South Indian cities, the muhurat shifts back by ~10–15 minutes.
Mantras
अनन्तं वासुकिं शेषं पद्मनाभं च कम्बलम्। शङ्खपालं धृतराष्ट्रं तक्षकं कालियं तथा॥
Salutations to Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padmanabha, Kambala, Shankhapala, Dhritarashtra, Takshaka, and Kaliya — the great serpent lords.
नमोऽस्तु सर्पेभ्यो ये के च पृथिवीमनु। ये अन्तरिक्षे ये दिवि तेभ्यः सर्पेभ्यो नमः॥
Salutations to all serpents — those on earth, in the sky, and in the heavens — obeisance to them all.
ॐ नागराजाय विद्महे कालसर्पाय धीमहि तन्नः सर्पः प्रचोदयात्॥
Om, we meditate on the King of Nagas; may the serpent lord illumine our path (recited to alleviate Kala Sarpa Dosha).
✓ Do's
- Bathe before sunrise and wear clean cotton clothes (avoid synthetics).
- Offer milk, water, honey, and kumkum only to Naga images — never to living snakes.
- Feed cow milk, jaggery, and rice to Brahmins or make donation to a Naga temple.
- Recite Ashta Naga names, Sarpa Suktam, or Nagendra Haaraya Trilochanaya (Shiva stotra invoking Vasuki).
- Visit a Naga temple or Shiva temple (Shiva wears Vasuki as an ornament).
- Observe partial fast if possible — take only satvik food (fruits, milk, khichdi without turmeric).
✗ Don'ts
- Do NOT dig the earth, plough fields, or drive stakes into the ground — considered harming Naga homes.
- Do NOT cook on an iron griddle (tawa) or use sharp tools — reserved for Nagas' rest day.
- Do NOT pour milk on a live snake — Ayurveda holds that milk is toxic to snakes; this is a cruel misinterpretation.
- Do NOT kill any snake, insect, or reptile on this day — extreme paapa (sin).
- Do NOT wear red flowers or offer red items to Nagas — always white.
- Do NOT consume onion, garlic, meat, or tamasik food.
Frequently Asked Questions
What date is Nag Panchami in 2026?
Nag Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, 17 August 2026 — the Shukla Panchami tithi of the Shravana month (Amanta lunar calendar). Panchami tithi runs from 4:52 PM on 16 August to 5:00 PM on 17 August 2026 IST.
What is the Nag Panchami puja muhurat 2026?
The auspicious muhurat is 5:51 AM to 8:29 AM IST on 17 August 2026 (Delhi reference) — a window of about 2 hours 37 minutes. South Indian cities should shift the muhurat back by 10–15 minutes.
Why should we not pour milk on live snakes on Nag Panchami?
Snakes are lactose-intolerant carnivores; feeding them milk causes severe distress or death. The Puranic prescription is to pour milk on Naga IMAGES / anthills / temple deities — never on captured live serpents. Modern Nag Panchami observance strongly discourages the tourist practice of milk-feeding snakes.
What is the difference between Nag Panchami and Garuda Panchami?
Both fall on Shravana Shukla Panchami (17 Aug 2026 — same tithi). Nag Panchami is the pan-India observance honoring the serpent lords. Garuda Panchami is the regional Karnataka/AP/Telangana observance on the same day, where married women worship Garuda (Vishnu's eagle vahana) for their brothers' well-being. Many devotees in south India observe BOTH.
How does Nag Panchami help with Kala Sarpa Dosha?
Astrologically, when all seven planets are aligned between Rahu and Ketu in a horoscope, it forms Kala Sarpa Dosha — believed to cause obstacles in career, marriage, and progeny. Nag Panchami is considered the single most powerful day to appease the Nagas via milk abhisheka, Sarpa Suktam recitation, and donations to Naga temples (Kalahasti, Nagalaya, Mannarshala) — many pandits recommend a full Kala Sarpa Shanti puja on this date.
What food should be prepared on Nag Panchami?
Traditional preparations: khichdi made without turmeric (Nagas dislike haldi being cooked), coconut, jaggery, fried grains (poha), and rice payasam. Strictly avoid onion, garlic, meat, and iron-cooked food. In some regions, no cooking is done at all — only pre-prepared cold food.
Dates verified from drikpanchang.com, mpanchang.com and hindupad.com on 2026-07-27. Lahiri (Chitra-paksha) ayanamsa used. For your specific city, cross-check tithi start/end using our Today's Panchangam.