18/08/2026
The Vedic holy festival of Nag (or Naga) Panchami will occur today, August 17. This is a day to pay homage to the sacred “Naga” power which exists within all of nature as the primordial cosmic power. This power is expressed as the mystical serpent energy or kundalini shakti.
Nagas are further defined as inter-dimensional elemental entities who reside primarily within the subtle dimensions of our Earth, as well as within and close to bodies of water. Lord Shiva is honored on Nag Panchami, as Shiva rules over the kingdom of the Nagas. It can be very helpful on this day to do special prayers and mantras invoking Lord Shiva. Om Namah Shivaya!
Various forms of worship and celebration are performed on Nag Panchami according to different cultural traditions, and depending on one’s preferences. These include pujas, ritual offerings, fasting for some. For others, this day can be about eating special foods like rice dishes or laddus, which are also offered to and said to be enjoyed by the Naga spirits.
For those who have astrological afflictions of the lunar nodes Rahu and Ketu (which also represent the serpent power), it is especially auspicious on this day to propitiate the Nagas. Specific pujas are performed in Hindu temples for this, such as the Kala Sarpa Puja, or the Nag Panchami Puja.
