Naag Panchami is not only a religious observance but also reflects one’s broader respect for nature and its creatures. By honoring the Nagas, people acknowledge the interconnectedness of all living beings and the importance of maintaining harmony with the natural world. This festival provides an opportunity for reflection, devotion, and celebration of the rich tapestry of cultural and spiritual traditions associated with serpent worship.
Naag Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of snakes, particularly the serpent deities. It usually falls on the fifth day of the bright half of the lunar month of Shravana (July-August). The festival is celebrated with rituals and ceremonies to honor and appease the Nagas (serpent deities), who are believed to protect and bless devotees. On this day, people offer milk, flowers, and other offerings to images or idols of snakes, or snakes in real. Some also visit temples dedicated to snake Gods. Devotees believe that worshipping snakes on Naag Panchami can bring protection from harm and ensure prosperity and good health.
Offering milk to snakes, particularly during Naag Panchami, is a common practice in the Hindu tradition. There are several myths and beliefs surrounding this ritual. According to Hindu mythology, the Nagas (serpent deities) are considered protectors of treasures and guardians of the Earth. Offering milk is believed to appease them and earn their blessings for prosperity, protection, and well-being. Some myths suggest that the act of offering milk is a form of penance and purification. By making this offering, devotees seek to absolve themselves of sins and purify their souls.
Yet another popular myth involves Vasuki, the king of serpents, who played a crucial role during the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan) to obtain the nectar of immortality (amrita). To honor Vasuki's role and seek his blessings, devotees offer milk during Naag Panchami. Another belief is that by offering milk, devotees gain protection from snake bites and other potential dangers related to serpents. This practice is thought to ensure safety from harm. Just like any other animal, snakes drink water to keep them hydrated. When snakes are kept starved for days and offered milk, they do drink from it to keep them hydrated. They are cold-blooded reptiles. Forcing them to drink milk could sometimes kill them.
Apurva Kankonkar says, “The celebration of Nag Panchami in the month of Shravan signifies the deep association of the serpent in Hindu beliefs. Every Indian festival is celebrated in different ways across the nation. Nag Panchami being no exception, is celebrated quite differently in Goa as compared to other parts of India. The most common ways of celebrating Naag Panchami in Goa include people refraining from digging the Earth on this day. The idol of nag, made out of clay, is worshipped and offerings of ‘durva’ are made along with preparation of the most favoured ‘patolleo’ (a rice dumpling stuffed with grated coconut and jaggery, generally wrapped in a turmeric leaf) in Goan homes.”
It is also a popular belief in Hinduism that the thousand-hooded Shesh Nag who symbolizes eternity, holds the entire Earth on its hood. The hood is also the resting seat of Lord Vishnu, she says further mentioning that stories of the association of Hindu Gods with snakes also enhance the significance of their existence. According to mythology, the elder brother of Lord Krishna, Balram was an incarnation of Shesh Nag on Earth. The snake is also given due importance because it is considered to be an ornament of Lord Shiva which is always seen around His neck. Therefore, by worshipping snakes, devout Hindus also try to please Lord Shiva. “Some even worship living cobras on this day,” says Apurva.
Radiya Mahale from Mala in Panjim says that they just perform a puja of an old ‘nag murti’ that they have in their home. This idol is from her grandmother’s childhood. “We offer milk and ‘lahyo’ to that murti,” she says. Lahyo is a preparation of puffed rice. “Naag Pancham in Goa is incomplete without preparing patoleo,” says Radiya.
Pankaj Kamble from Navelim in South Goa mentions, ‘On this day, Goans worship the snake by offering milk and performing a puja. During the monsoon season when snakes come out of their pits, they are worshipped as they protect crops from getting damaged by rats and other rodents.”
“Lord Krishna defeated Kaliya Naag. Kaliya begged Krishna for mercy after realizing that he was no ordinary child. Krishna spared his life and made him promise, never to harm the residents of Gokul. Nag Panchami thus marks Lord Krishna's victory over Kaliya,” he explains. Further, he reveals something interesting. “On the occasion of ‘Naag Panchami’, patolleos are prepared by every Hindu Konkani family. Other than Naag Panchami, Patolleo are also made on the occasion of Hartalika and Ganesh Chaturti,” he mentions. “On Naag Pancham, some Hindu families follow a unique tradition of offering the sweet to snakes in their cultivated fields and house surroundings. Patolleo are placed in four corners of the field for the snakes to feed on, thus hoping that the field owners and those working in the field, would not be harmed by the snakes around,” he elaborates.