Goga Navami 2023 Date, Time, Rituals & Significance
Goga Navami, also known as Guga Naumi, is dedicated to the veneration of the Snake God, Lord Guga. Goga Navami is celebrated on the ninth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight of the moon) during the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapad. In the English calendar, the celebration occurs between August and September.
In Hinduism, Gogaji, also known as “Jahar Veer Gogga,” is a prominent folk deity who is revered with devotion in the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Punjab. Widespread belief holds that He appeared on Bhadrapad Krishna Paksha Navami, so Hindu devotees devoted this day to his honor. In the northern regions of India, especially in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, Goga Navami is commemorated with great fanfare and enthusiasm. On Goga Navami, grand fairs and three-day celebrations are conducted in Rajasthan.
Goga Navami Date 2023
Friday, 08 September 2023
Rituals of Goga Navami
- On Goga Navami, devotees venerate the idol of ‘Gogaji’.
- He is observed riding a blue steed while waving yellow and blue flags.
- In some regions, the vidhi of praying to Lord Goga commences on Shravana Purnima (Raksha Bandhan) and continues for nine days until Navami.
- Consequently, it is known as Goga Navami. At the conclusion of the ritual, the devotees recite the Gogaji Katha.
- Rice and chapati are distributed as Prasad to the devotees upon completion of the puja rituals.
- In Guga Mari temples, numerous rituals and processions are performed. On Goga Navami, Hindus also tie a Rakhi or ‘Rakhsa Stotra’ to Lord Goga for protection against peril.
- During the Goga Navami festival, rural areas of Northern and North-Western India also host expansive festivals.
- The Guga Navami Mela in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, is the largest and most renowned fair or mela in the world.
Significance of Goga Navami
Goga Navami is one of the most important Hindu celebrations held in commemoration of Gogaji. According to legend, Guga was a potent Rajput prince with supernatural abilities to control poisonous snakes. As part of rituals, various versions of his tales are told on this day. Some of the tales describe his divine birth, marriage, family life, wars, extraordinary ability to cure snake bites, and disappearance from the planet.
Hindus believe that if they worship Him on this day, they will be protected from snakes and other calamities. In addition, it is widely believed that Lord Guga protects children from all injury. Therefore, on Goga Navami, married women perform pujas and pray to Him for the health and longevity of their offspring. Some childless married women pray on this day for the gift of children.