Nag Panchami is the day of Shravan set aside to honour the Naga Devtas — the serpent deities bound up with Lord Shiva, who wears the great serpent around his neck. Falling on the Shukla Panchami of Sawan, it is kept with a morning worship of the Naga, offerings of milk and flowers, and the reading of the Nag Panchami katha.
In 2026, Nag Panchami falls on Monday, 17 August — which is also one of the Sawan Somwar, so many keep the Monday Shiva vrat and the Naga worship together. Below are the exact Panchami timings for New Delhi, the morning puja muhurat, the step-by-step vidhi and the traditional katha.
Nag Panchami 2026 at a glance
Festival day
Mon, 17 August 2026
Tithi
Shukla Panchami
Panchami begins
16 Aug, 16:53
Panchami ends
17 Aug, 17:01
Puja muhurat
17 Aug, ~05:52 – 08:29
Also
A Sawan Somwar
Nag Panchami 2026 date & puja muhurat
The Shukla Panchami timings and the morning window
Puja muhurat
05:52 – 08:29
17 August, morning (New Delhi)
Shukla Panchami
16 Aug 16:53 → 17 Aug 17:01
In 2026 the Shukla Panchami of Shravan begins at 16:53 on 16 August and ends at 17:01 on 17 August (New Delhi). Because the Panchami is present at sunrise on the 17th, Nag Panchami is observed on 17 August, and the puja is offered in the morning — roughly between 05:52 and 08:29. Since it is also a Sawan Somwar, the Monday Shiva vrat and the Naga worship fall on the same day, and many keep both.
Naga Devta puja vidhi
How the serpent deities are worshipped
After a dawn bath, devotees set up an image, picture or clay figure of the serpent, or worship a Naga carving at a Shiva temple. The Naga is bathed with water and milk, then offered haldi, roli, akshat (unbroken rice), durva, flowers and a lamp. Some draw serpent figures at the doorway with rice paste or cow-dung. Sweets and milk are offered, the Nag Panchami katha is read, and prayers are made for the family's protection from snakebite and hidden dangers. The names of the principal Nagas — Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka and others — are invoked.
The Nag Panchami katha
The story read on the day
The best-known Nag Panchami katha tells of a farmer whose plough accidentally killed young serpents, provoking the mother snake's grief and anger. She set out to avenge them, but found the farmer's daughter worshipping the Nagas with milk and sincere devotion on Panchami. Moved by her faith, the serpent spared the family and blessed them. The story is read as a reminder that reverence for all creatures, and heartfelt worship, turn away danger and earn the Naga's grace.
Why Nag Panchami is kept
Serpent worship, protection and Shravan
Serpents hold a singular place in the Shaiva tradition — Shiva himself is adorned by Vasuki, and Vishnu rests on Shesha. Worshipping the Nagas in Shravan is believed to grant protection from snakebite and unseen harm, and to bless the home with progeny and prosperity. Because the day is dedicated to the serpent deities, it is also considered especially suitable for the remedies associated with Kaal Sarp Dosha.
If your chart has Kaal Sarp Dosha
Check the Monday timings for your city
These timings are for New Delhi. For your city's sunrise, tithi and the day's auspicious windows, use our live tools.
Frequently asked questions
Nag Panchami 2026 date, muhurat and vidhi