Nag Panchami Customs and Traditions

The temples dedicated snakes (sarpa) are flocked by devotees, who carry milk and turmeric powder as offerings for the deity. In fact, in some part of the country, Nag Panchami is called snake day. In some regions, live cobras are given a ceremonious bath in milk and offered rice, because it is believed that by treating them properly, one could get immunity from their bites. Women also take part in the celebrations. They would get up early in the morning, take bath and head to the nearest Snake temple, carrying pots of milk and flowers to the deity. According to the legends, if a snake drinks milk, then it is a symbol of good luck. In many parts of Bengal, Mansa (the Queen of Snakes) is worshipped during Naga Panchami. The snake Goddess is worshipped to obtain respite from other snakes. Raw milk and five plantains are offered to the Goddess, by her devotees. Generally, women are the followers of Goddess Manasa.

The tradition of worshipping Goddess Manasa is still prevalent in some parts of Bengal. Another tradition associated with the celebration of Nag Panchami is smearing of red sandalwood paste on wooden boards and clay images of snakes. The images would be colored in usually yellow or black. They are personified as idols of snake and worshipped on the festival.The rituals followed in different parts of India, for Naga Panchami, are unique in their own terms. For instance, in Punjab, one can see a large dough snake being created and then paraded around the villages of the state. The parade is often accompanied by singing and dancing. The virtual snake is buried at the end of the parade, to mark the culmination of the ritual. Coming to Maharashtra, women offer milk, flowers, haldi (turmeric powder) and kumkum to the dangerous snakes that are carried by snake charmers. It is interesting, yet fearsome to see that on Naga Panchami, snake charmers carry pots containing cobras to a central temple, where they are released and worshipped.