{
  "id": 1462805,
  "title": "Nagchandreshwar Temple In Ujjain Opens For Devotees On Nag Panchami: Why Is Darshan Allowed Only Once A Year?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/nagchandreshwar-temple-in-ujjain-opens-for-devotees-on-nag-panchami",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-17T10:00:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/lifestyle/nagchandreshwar-temple-in-ujjain-opens-for-devotees-on-nag-panchami-why-is-darshan-allowed-only-once-a-year"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nag Panchami, a significant Hindu observance, is celebrated on the fifth day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Shravan. This year, the festival falls on Tuesday, August 16. In India and Nepal, this day is marked by deep religious and cultural significance, particularly due to the belief that snakes symbolize fertility, protection, and rebirth. Hindus observe that worshipping serpents on this day safeguards them from snakebites and brings prosperity and well-being to their homes.\n\nThe Nagchandreshwar Temple, situated within the Mahakaleshwar Temple complex in Ujjain, opened its doors to devotees on Nag Panchami. Thousands of worshippers gathered to seek the blessings of Lord Nagchandreshwar. This shrine holds a unique status in Hindu religious traditions as it allows darshan only once a year, on Nag Panchami. Located on the third floor of the Mahakaleshwar Temple complex, the temple is dedicated to Lord Nagchandreshwar, an incarnation associated with Lord Shiva and the serpent deity.\n\nPopular belief associates the idol at the temple with Lord Shiva seated on a serpent, accompanied by Goddess Parvati. The shrine depicts the deity wrapping a snake around his neck. This year, the temple gates were opened in the early morning for devotees to receive blessings from Nag Devta, the serpent deity, who is considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva, with the serpent coiled around his neck.\n\nThe temple remains open exclusively for this day, and after the festival, it will close for the remainder of the year. Built around 1050 AD by the Parmar King Bhoj and restored in 1732 by the Scindia ruler Ranoji, the temple's annual opening is deeply rooted in religious belief. It is believed that the practice is linked to the sanctity of the shrine and the auspiciousness of Nag Panchami. Worshipping at Nagchandreshwar on this day is thought to bring blessings, protection, and spiritual prosperity.\n\nLegends surrounding the temple recount that a serpent king named Takshak performed penance to attain immortality and received a boon from Lord Shiva. It is believed that Takshak resided at this sacred site. Devotees therefore consider the darshan of Nagchandreshwar on Nag Panchami to be of particular importance, making this temple an exceptional annual attraction in Ujjain.",
  "summary": "Nag Panchami is one of the auspicious Hindu observances which is observed on the fifth Panchami of the Shukla Paksha, and it holds deep religious and cultural significance, especially in India and Nepal. This year the festival is celebrated on Tuesday, August 16. The festival is rooted in ancient traditions where snakes are seen as symbols of fertility, protection, and rebirth.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}