2026-08-17 Mon

Naga/Nag Panchami is a traditional Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Nagas - the divine serpent deities or snakes especially the cobras. It is also observed by some Jain and Buddhist communities, primarily in India, Nepal, and other places with Hindu, Jain, or Buddhist populations.

It is celebration falls on the fifth day (Panchami) of the bright fortnight i.e., Shukla Paksha in the lunar month of Shravana, corresponds to July or August in the Gregorian calendar. In some regions such as parts of Rajasthan, Bihar, and Gujarat, it is observed on the dark fortnight i.e., Krishna Paksha of the same month.

In the Hindu folklore, King Parikshit was killed by the serpent Takshaka. His son, King Janamejaya, performed a massive Sarpa Satra to destroy all serpents in revenge. The young sage Astika, son of a Naga mother intervened and persuaded the king to stop the sacrifice, saving the remaining snakes. The day this happened is commemorated as Naga Panchami. The snakes are said to have blessed those who worship them on this day with protection.

Snakes have been depicted on Indian coinage first time on the very ancient first Punch Marked Coins. Later they were depicted on the coins of many other ancient, medieval and modern dynasties. The coins have been minted with snake as motif on copper, silver and gold coins of Indian kings, that includes coins with multiple-hooded snake too as a prominent motif

Coin presented here is a Subbaraya gold fanam weighing 0.32g of least known but very illustrious Maratha Ghorpades chiefs of Gooty. This coins depicts hooded snake flanked by sun and moon on obverse while the reverse carries the name of the mint this coin was minted at - Rama Durga

In 2026, the main observance is on Monday, August 17, today.