The Nagas: Rituals and Observances. (Part 2).

The Nagas: Rituals and Observances. (Part 2).

This second article in our series on the Nagas explores the vibrant rituals of Naag Panchami, celebrated on Tuesday 29^th July, 2025; building on Article 1’s mythological foundation.

This instalment details the spiritual and cultural practices of Naag Panchami, the significance of the Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple, the sacred Naga Stuti, and the astrological influence of Naga Doshas. These rituals and beliefs unite ancient mythology with modern devotion, honouring the Nagas as guardians of nature and spirituality.

Naag Panchami: Rituals and Observance.

Naag Panchami, observed on the fifth day of Shravan’s bright half (Shukla Paksha Panchami), honours the Nagas, seeking their blessings for protection from snakebites, prosperity, and spiritual growth. The festival reflects their role as guardians of water, fertility, and cosmic balance, fostering harmony with divine forces.

Rituals in India.

Devotees perform rituals at snake pits, anthills, or Naga temples, offering milk, flowers, turmeric, vermilion, and sweets, accompanied by Atharvaveda or Puranic mantras. Serpent idols of silver, stone, or clay are bathed with water and milk, symbolizing purification. Rangoli snake designs, drawn with turmeric or sandalwood, adorn homes to ward off harm. Ethical concerns have reduced live snake worship, emphasizing symbolic offerings. Women fast for family well-being, particularly brothers, with the festival called Bhratru Panchami in Punjab. Devotees avoid digging the earth or eating salty and non-vegetarian foods to maintain ritual purity.

Twelve Nagas—Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, Karkotaka, Ashvatara, Dhritarashtra, Shankhapala, Kaliya, Takshaka, and Pingala—are worshipped, with offerings believed to reach these deities. Chanting their names ensures protection and success.

In Maharashtra, clay or metal snake idols are offered milk and kheer; in Tamil Nadu (Naga Chaturthi), women worship mud snake statues; in West Bengal, Manasa Devi is honoured with folk songs.

As per astrological calculations, Naag Panchami offerings can be performed on July 29, 2025, with the period from 06:15 AM to 08:45 AM considered the most auspicious part of the day.

Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple.

The Mannarasala Nagaraja Temple in Kerala, linked to Parashuram, a Vishnu incarnation, is a premier Naga worship site. Legend states Parashuram reclaimed Kerala from the sea, but the barren land required Nagaraja’s intervention. Guided by Shiva, he worshipped Nagaraja, who, with his serpent disciples, used kakuda poison—a mythical substance—to make the soil fertile. Parashuram consecrated the temple, honouring Nagaraja as a unified Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva form, alongside Ananta, Vasuki, and others. With over 30,000 Naga images, the temple’s rituals include abhishekam (ritual bathing), alangaram (decoration), and nur palum (milk-based elixir) offerings, symbolizing fertility. Couples seeking children and those with Naga Doshas visit, believing Nagaraja grants prosperity.

Naga Stuti: Mantras and Their Meaning.

The Naga Stuti, usually chanted to receive the blessings of the Nagas, invokes the Nagas’ divine qualities for protection and prosperity. Below is the Stuti with its English translation.

Verse 1:

Shiva Bharanam Ghora Rupam, Pancha Indriya Taarakam

Nithyam Jaagra Sthithe Nishtam, Naaga Naagam Aashrayeham

Naaga Naagam Naaga Naagam, Naaga Naagam Aashrayeham

Meaning: The Nagas, Shiva’s garland, possess a formidable form and guide the five senses toward liberation. Ever vigilant, I seek refuge in them, invoking their protection.

Verse 2:

Dosha Haranam Keerthi Karanam, Vittha Kalmasha Naashakam

Artha Deha Mangalam, Naaga Naagam Aashrayeham

Naaga Naagam Naaga Naagam, Naaga Naagam Aashrayeham

Meaning: The Nagas remove afflictions, grant fame, purify wealth, and bestow well-being. I seek refuge in them, reaffirming devotion.

Verse 3:

Sarva Roga Nivaarakam, Kutumba Bhaagya Daayakam

Garbha Soothi Rakshakam, Naaga Naagam Aashrayeham

Naaga Naagam Naaga Naagam, Naaga Naagam Aashrayeham

Meaning: The Nagas cure diseases, grant family fortune, and protect childbirth. I seek refuge in their protective powers.

Verse 4:

Paataalam Svarga Marthyam, Trailoka Vaasinam

Kshetra Paala Bhujangesham, Naaga Naagam Aashrayeham

Naaga Naagam Naaga Naagam, Naaga Naagam Aashrayeham

Meaning: Residing in Patala, Svarga, and Martya, the Nagas protect sacred lands as serpent lords. I seek refuge in their universal presence.

 

Naga Doshas: Astrological Afflictions.

Doshas, difficulties attributed to the Nagas’ wrath or past-life karma, manifest as life challenges, addressed through Vedic remedies to restore harmony.

Kaal Sarp Yoga.

Kaal Sarp Yoga occurs due to the formation of a cosmic serpent in one’s horoscope (due to specific placements of the malefic planets Rahu and Ketu) that strangles one’s destiny, causing hindrances in career, marriage, health, etc. Named after Nagas (e.g., Anant Kaal Sarp), its twelve types require remedies to break the hold.

Sarpa Dosha.

Sarpa Dosha, linked to harming snakes, arises from malefic Rahu and Ketu placements, causing fertility issues or marital discord. Remedies are required to remove this curse.

Other Naga Doshas.

Doshas like Naga Dosha, from harming snake habitats, manifest as fears or financial losses.

Consulting a Vedic astrologer is essential to identify Naga Doshas and prescribe tailored remedies.

Conclusion.

Naag Panchami, celebrated on Tuesday 29^th July, 2025, honours the Nagas as divine protectors, uniting mythology, ritual, and spirituality. This series has traced their scriptural significance, divine associations, and astrological impact, culminating in the vibrant practices at Mannarasala, the sacred Naga Stuti, and the remedies for Naga Doshas.

In our final article in our series on the Nagas we will explore the Nav (9) Naga Devtas and their divine associations.

Om Naaga Naagam Aashrayeham!!!

I seek refuge in the universal presence of the Nagas.