Nag Panchami

Festival falling on the fifth day (panchami) of the bright, waxing half of the
lunar month of Shravan (July–August).
This day is devoted to the worship of
serpents, whether as Nagas—the minor
deities who take the form of snakes—or
actual cobras and other snakes. On this
day the images of the Naga deities are
bathed and given offerings. Offerings
are also made to real serpents. On this
day people refrain from digging in the
earth, since snakes live there.
This rite occurs on the fifth day
because in astrology (jyotisha), the
guardian deity for this day is Shesha, the
god Vishnu’s serpent couch. This festival falls at the beginning of the rainy
season, when the rising waters caused
by the monsoon rains often drive snakes
out of their dens, and at times into peoples’ homes and gardens. The rainy season is also the time for growing crops;
snakes pose a real danger for people
working in the fields. According to one
estimate, 10,000 Indians die from
snakebites every year. According to popular belief, observing this rite will protect one from snakebites for the entire
year. This observance is a protective ritual, marking the advent of a dangerous
time for many villagers.