Shekhawat Greets Nation on Nag Panchami
Synopsis
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat marked Nag Panchami on 17 August 2026 by invoking the Nag Gayatri mantra and extending wishes to all citizens on the sacred Hindu festival observed during the month of Shravan.
Key Takeaways
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat , Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, posted Nag Panchami greetings on 17 August 2026 .
His message opened with the Nag Gayatri mantra : 'ॐ भुजंगेशाय विद्महे, सर्पराजाय धीमहि, तन्नो नागः प्रचोदयात्' .
Nag Panchami is observed on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Shravan .
The festival involves worship of serpents and is celebrated widely across Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh , and Karnataka .
The post reflects the Ministry of Culture 's role in promoting India's intangible cultural heritage through official public outreach.
On the auspicious occasion of Nag Panchami, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat extended heartfelt wishes to citizens across the country, invoking the sacred Nag Gayatri mantra in his message on Monday, 17 August 2026.
Shekhawat opened with the Nag Gayatri verse — 'ॐ भुजंगेशाय विद्महे, सर्पराजाय धीमहि, तन्नो नागः प्रचोदयात्' ('We meditate upon the lord of serpents, we contemplate the king of snakes — may that Naga illuminate us') — before wishing all countrymen on the 'pavan parv', the sacred festival.
Nag Panchami falls on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Shravan, one of the most spiritually significant months in the Hindu calendar. Devotees across India offer milk, flowers, and prayers to snake idols or images, seeking protection and blessings. The festival is observed with particular fervour in states such as Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, each carrying its own regional ritual traditions.
As the minister responsible for India's cultural heritage, Shekhawat's message aligns with the Ministry of Culture's broader mandate to promote and preserve the country's intangible cultural heritage — a category that encompasses living festival traditions like Nag Panchami. Indian ministers routinely mark traditional observances through social media, using the reach of these platforms to connect official outreach with millions of citizens simultaneously.
Point of View
But its choice to lead with a Sanskrit mantra rather than a plain greeting is deliberate — it signals cultural fluency and reinforces the BJP's consistent positioning as the custodian of Hindu tradition. For a minister whose portfolio directly covers cultural heritage, such posts do double duty: public goodwill and soft articulation of the government's civilisational-heritage agenda. The pattern of senior ministers marking Shravan-month festivals has grown more systematic in recent years, reflecting a broader strategy of using social media to maintain cultural connect with the party's core voter base.
NationPress
17 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nag Panchami and when is it celebrated?
Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of serpents, observed on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of the month of Shravan in the Hindu lunar calendar. Devotees offer milk and prayers to snake idols seeking blessings and protection.
What did Gajendra Singh Shekhawat post on Nag Panchami 2026?
Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat posted Nag Panchami greetings on 17 August 2026, opening with the Nag Gayatri mantra and wishing all citizens on the auspicious occasion.
What is the Nag Gayatri mantra?
The Nag Gayatri mantra — 'ॐ भुजंगेशाय विद्महे, सर्पराजाय धीमहि, तन्नो नागः प्रचोदयात्' — translates as: 'We meditate upon the lord of serpents, we contemplate the king of snakes — may that Naga illuminate us.' It is recited in reverence to the serpent deity.
Who is Gajendra Singh Shekhawat?
Gajendra Singh Shekhawat is the Union Minister of Culture and Tourism in India, a senior BJP leader, and a Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Which states celebrate Nag Panchami with the most fervour?
Nag Panchami is celebrated widely across India, with particular fervour in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka, each state carrying its own regional ritual traditions.
