Nag Panchami 2026: Is It On August 16 Or 17? Check Exact Date, Shubh Muhurat And Puja Vidhi

New Delhi: Nag Panchami is a significant Hindu festivals dedicated to the worship of snakes. The festival falls on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight in the month of Shravana, typically in July or August. The word 'Nag' means 'snake,' while 'Panchami' refers to the 'fifth' day. This year, it falls on Monday, August 17, 2026. 

When is Nag Panchami?

Nag Panchami will begin at 4:52 pm on August 16 and end at 5 pm on August 17. According to the rising date, Nag Panchami will be celebrated on August 17.

What is puja muhurat?

This year, Nag Panchami will be celebrated on Monday, August 17, 2026. According to the calendar, the auspicious time for Nag Panchami puja on this day will be from 5:51 am to 8:29 am.

How to worship the god?

Just as Lord Shiva is worshipped on Nag Panchami, the idol of the serpent god can also be worshipped. First, offer water to the idol of the serpent god. After this, perform an abhishek with milk, a tilak (a paste of rice grains), and flowers. Then, perform the puja and aarti of Lord Shiva. According to belief, the serpent god enshrined alongside the Shivalinga is also worshipped during this puja.

What happens by worshipping on Nag Panchami?

According to religious beliefs, worshipping the serpent god on the day of Nag Panchami frees a person from fear and removes the problems in life.

In many religious traditions, worship of the serpent god is also associated with the pacification of the Kalsarpa Dosha indicated in the horoscope. It is believed that worshipping the serpent god brings happiness and prosperity in life and opens the path to progress.

It is believed that the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Shravan is a special festival celebrated in the Naga world. For this reason, the tradition of worshipping the snake god on this day is also observed on Earth. It is said that worshipping the snake god on this day frees one from fear and bestows the snake god's blessings.

What to do on Nag Panchami?

On the day of Nag Panchami, you can go to the temple of Lord Shiva and worship the Shivalinga and the snake god installed along with it.

Offer water, flowers, apply Akshat and Tilak and perform Aarti of Lord Shiva by lighting a lamp.

If there is a tradition in your family of making the figure of the serpent god from cow dung at the main entrance of the house, then you can also worship it as per the rituals.

The most important thing is to avoid capturing a live snake and attempting to worship it or feed it milk. The safest and most appropriate way is to worship an idol of the snake god, respecting religious beliefs.