Question 1

When is Ashvina Naga Panchami observed?

Accepted Answer

Ashvina Naga Panchami falls on Panchami, the fifth lunar day, of Shukla Paksha, the bright fortnight, in the lunar month of Ashvina. The tithi running at sunrise governs the observance, so the Gregorian date changes from year to year and must be checked in a local panchanga.

Question 2

What is the story behind Ashvina Naga Panchami?

Accepted Answer

Ashvina Naga Panchami honours naga deities, serpent beings associated in Hindu tradition with water, fertility, protection, and the earth. The exact story differs by region, so no single pan-Indian legend should be assumed for every observance bearing this name.

Question 3

How is Ashvina Naga Panchami puja performed?

Accepted Answer

Clean the shrine, place an image or drawing of a naga, and offer water, turmeric, flowers, incense, a lamp, and vegetarian food. A prayer for protection may follow. Living snakes should never be captured, handled, fed, or brought into a shrine.

Question 4

What should be eaten or avoided on Ashvina Naga Panchami?

Accepted Answer

Fasting may be followed where it is part of family or regional practice, but there is no confidently established single fasting rule for every Ashvina Naga Panchami observance. A simple vegetarian diet, prayer, and respectful worship before an image are suitable alternatives.

Question 5

Is Ashvina Naga Panchami the same as Shravana Naga Panchami?

Accepted Answer

Ashvina Naga Panchami is distinct from the more widely known Shravana Naga Panchami. Both involve naga worship, but they fall in different lunar months. This page follows the Ashvina observance: Panchami of Shukla Paksha, with the tithi at sunrise governing the date.

Date	Tithi	Lunar month	Governing time
Tue, 8 Oct, 2024	ShuklaShukla Panchami	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 27 Sept, 2025	ShuklaShukla Panchami	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Thu, 15 Oct, 2026	ShuklaShukla Panchami	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Mon, 4 Oct, 2027	ShuklaShukla Panchami	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 23 Sept, 2028	ShuklaShukla Panchami	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Fri, 12 Oct, 2029	ShuklaShukla Panchami	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 1 Oct, 2030	ShuklaShukla Panchami	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Tue, 21 Oct, 2031	ShuklaShukla Panchami	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)
Sat, 9 Oct, 2032	ShuklaShukla Panchami	Ashvina	sunrise (udaya tithi)

Ashvina Naga Panchami

Dates by year