Nagpur – famously called the Orange City – has another fascinating identity that connects it deeply to Nag Panchami and the Nag River. The city’s name, history, and traditions all trace back to one sacred symbol: the serpent.
🌸 Nag Panchami – A Festival of Serpent Worship
Nag Panchami is an ancient Hindu festival celebrated during the holy month of Shravan. On this day, devotees worship Nag Devta (the Serpent God) and seek protection from evil, fertility for crops, and blessings for prosperity.
In Nagpur, this festival holds special significance.
- Families visit Nag Devta temples and shrines across the city.
- Idols of serpents are offered milk, flowers, turmeric, and vermilion.
Traditional songs, folk stories, and rituals are performed, carrying forward the cultural heritage of the city.
This strong devotion to serpent worship isn’t accidental – it is rooted in Nagpur’s very name and geography.
🌊 The History of the Nag River
The Nag River is the lifeline and the namesake of Nagpur. Flowing in a winding, snake-like path through the city, it starts in the Lava Hills near Ambazari Lake and eventually joins the Kanhan River.
Why is it called the Nag River?
- Its serpentine course resembles a cobra slithering across the land.
- Local legends say the river was once inhabited and protected by divine Nāgas – serpent beings revered in Hindu and tribal traditions.
In ancient times, the Gond tribe, the original inhabitants of the region, considered snakes as sacred protectors of nature and agriculture. Their serpent worship gradually blended with mainstream Hindu traditions, giving rise to Nag Panchami celebrations in this region.
🏰 How Nagpur Got Its Name
In the 18th century, when the Bhonsle rulers established Nagpur as their capital, they named it after the Nag River – Nag (serpent) + Pur (city). Over time, the city became not just an administrative hub, but also a cultural center for serpent worship traditions.
🙏 Nag Panchami in Nagpur Today
Even today, Nag Panchami in Nagpur is celebrated with great devotion:
- Mahal, Itwari, and Old City areas see special pujas and community gatherings.
- Decorative serpent idols are installed in temples and homes.
- Farmers offer prayers for a good harvest.
- The day is also seen as a way to honor nature and maintain harmony with all creatures.
For Nagpur, Nag Panchami is not just a festival – it’s a celebration of its history, geography, and faith.
✨ Conclusion
Nagpur’s bond with Nag Panchami and the Nag River is a reminder of how nature, mythology, and culture can come together to shape a city’s identity. The flowing serpent-like river gave the city its name, while the traditions of serpent worship continue to keep its heritage alive.
This Nag Panchami, as devotees across Nagpur offer prayers to Nag Devta, they also honor the story of a city blessed and named after the sacred serpent.
