Nag Panchami 2026: Importance of Ujjain Puja & Nagchandreshwar Temple

The holy month of Sawan is ongoing, and in Hinduism, Nag Panchami holds a very special place. This day holds special religious significance for the worship of Nag Devta and Lord Shiva. The festival of Nag Panchami is celebrated in an incredibly divine and grand manner, especially in Ujjain (Avantika).

This year, Nag Panchami will be celebrated on August 17, 2026. It falls on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the Sawan month. Worshipping the Serpent Deity on this day brings prosperity and profound spiritual peace to one's life.

In Sanatan Dharma, the Serpent Deity is worshipped as the ornament around Lord Shiva's neck and the celestial bed (Sheshnag) of Lord Vishnu. According to religious beliefs, worship on this day is conducted to seek freedom from snake-related fears and to pray for the peace and prosperity of the family.

Ujjain, the city of Lord Mahakal, witnesses a spectacular celebration on Nag Panchami. The main attraction of the day is the Lord Nagchandreshwar Temple, located within the premises of the Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas.

The Shri Nagchandreshwar Temple in Ujjain is renowned for its unique tradition of opening to devotees only once a year, for approximately 24 hours on Nag Panchami. This temple houses a rare 11th-century idol where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are seated on a ten-hooded serpent bed. It is believed that the Serpent King Takshak performed severe penance for Lord Shiva here. According to religious belief, worship at Nagchandreshwar is associated with prayers for protection from snake-related fears and relief from certain traditional doshas.

On the occasion of Nag Panchami, the worship of Nag Devta is the primary ritual. In addition, devotees also perform rituals like Rudrabhishek and Kaal Sarp Dosh Nivaran based on their religious beliefs and needs. If there are planetary obstacles in your horoscope, performing a Mahakal Rudrabhishek on this day invokes special blessings from Lord Shiva.

The Nag Panchami Puja is performed with complete purity (Sattvic Vidhi). According to tradition, an idol or image of Nag Devta is worshipped, and offerings of milk, flowers, rice, turmeric, kumkum, and bilva leaves are made, while prayers for the family's protection are chanted.

Do's: Consume a Sattvic diet, perform Abhishek of Lord Shiva, and donate in the name of Nag Devta.
Don'ts: Do not plough or dig the earth on this day, avoid using needles and thread, and strictly abstain from Tamasic (non-vegetarian/onion-garlic) food.

According to Vedic astrology, if all the planets in a person's horoscope fall between Rahu and Ketu, it creates Kaal Sarp Dosh. Nag Panchami is considered an especially significant day for worship of Nag Devta and, in some traditions, for rituals associated with Kaal Sarp Dosh. If you have this dosha in your horoscope, read our detailed information about Kaal Sarp Dosh Puja in Ujjain. Along with this, the Mahamrityunjay Jaap is also highly fruitful for longevity and health.

Rituals performed on the banks of the holy Shipra river in the sacred land of Ujjain are considered highly effective. The puja is conducted by learned Vedic Brahmins strictly following scriptural methods, allowing devotees to participate in traditional religious rituals according to their faith.

You can easily book your Anushthan for the auspicious occasion of Nag Panchami directly through our website. You can either visit Ujjain in person or participate via online Sankalp from the comfort of your home.