Naag Panchami is held in honour of the Serpent God, Naag Devta

The fifth day of Shravan, in July/August, is dedicated to snake worship during the festival of Naag Panchami. Live cobras or their images are worshipped. Women worship Ananta the cosmic snake in temples. In Bengal, Manasa is worshipped as the goddess of snakes. Shiva is also worshipped since he wears snakes as ornaments. Snakes are fed with milk and sweets and released into the forests.

The Hindu festival of Naag Panchami is a festival of snakes which is dedicated to the Naag Devta or the God of Serpents. Serpents play a significant role in Hindu mythology. To mention a few, Lord Vishnu’s seat is a green thousand-headed snake called Sesha who is believed to be capable of holding up the earth. Lord Shiva wears a snake as an ornament. Lord Krishna won a battle with the giant snake Kaliya and was given the name Kaliya Mardan.

A farmer while tilling his land incidentally killed some young serpents. The serpent took revenge by biting all members of the farmer's family except his daughter, who worshipped snakes.This devotional act of the girl resulted in revival of her family. So on the day of Naag Panchami, tilling of land is forbidden. Snake worship is however believed to have originated due to man's natural fear of reptiles.

During the festival, milk, ghee, sweets, water and rice are offered in front of snake holes. The tradition is that women fast on this auspicious day and draw images of snakes on the walls of the house. Different regions in India celebrate Naag Panchami in different ways. In Jodhpur, fairs are organized where effigies of snakes are displayed.