Garuda Panchami Festival

Garuda Panchami is dedicated to Garuda, the vehicle or Vahana of God Vishnu. The Garuda Panchami Festival is celebrated on the 5th day of Shukla paksha (the waxing moon phase) in the month of Shravan. It is also known by the name Naga Panchami. Garuda Panchami this year falls on 19th August 2015. Garuda Panchami Puja and Vrata are normally observed by women belonging to certain Hindu communities in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra. It is believed that married women who perform special puja to Sri Garudalwar (also referred to as Periya Thiruvadi) and keep fast on this day will give birth to brave intelligent children. The women also pray for the well being of their brothers on this day. Married women also observe it for a having a happy married life and for the betterment of their children.
There is an interesting Story behind Garuda Panchami and why Garuda is the enemy of serpents. As per legend, the two wives of Sage Kashyapa,Vinatai and Kandharu had an argument regarding the color of tail of Lord Indra’s seven-headed flying horse Uchaishravas. Kandharu argued that it’s was black in color while Vinatai claimed that it was white. So they decided to go and see the horse. They also come to an agreement that the one who loses the bet will become slave of the other. However Kandharu cheated on Vinatai by making her black snake sons to wrap around the tail of the horse to make the white tail look black. Kandharu and her sons made Vinatai and her son Garuda their slaves and treated her badly.  Garuda was annoyed by the suffering of his mother and asked Kandharu to free her. Kandharu in return asked for Amrit (the divine nectar) from deva lokam.  Garuda fought with the Gods for the honey. When Indra heard his story he agreed to give the divine nectar to Garuda. Indira also gave Garuda a boon that all the snakes responsible for Vinatai’s plight will be Garuda’s slaves from there on. Garuda freed himself and his mother by giving the divine nectar to Kandharu. However, cheating and the insult suffered in the hands of the Nagas made Garuda their arch rival. Thus the day of Garuda Panchami is also a day that celebrates mother and son relationship.
Garuda Panchami Puja is beneficial for those suffering from Naga Dosha to ward off the ill effects. A statue of snake is also placed along with the Garuda image while performing Garuda Panchami Puja to pacify the effect of the Naga dosha of family members. Worshiping Garuda on Garuda Panchami also enables to have a protective shield against all snake related malefic conditions in ones natal chart.
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I am a Social Media Consultant and Freelance Writer who like to share my knowledge through writing. I am not a Saffron clad individual or a religious fanatic who talks on Hinduism. I would like to introduce myself as someone who has tremendous respect for all the good things in all religions and cultures. I can talk of Islam and Christianity as much as I can talk about Hinduism.