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Nagbali Shraddha

The Nagbali Shraddha (नागबली श्राद्ध) — often performed as part of the Narayan Nagbali Puja — is one of the most ancient and spiritually powerful Hindu rituals performed to absolve ancestral sins, remove curses, and attain peace for departed souls.

It is a unique combination of two rites — Narayan Bali and Nag Bali — usually conducted together at sacred sites like Trimbakeshwar (Nashik, Maharashtra).

🕉️ Meaning of Nagbali Shraddha

  • Nag = Serpent

  • Bali = Offering or sacrifice

  • Shraddha = Ritual to honor ancestors

So, Nagbali Shraddha is a ritual offering to the serpent deity and ancestral souls to neutralize sins associated with the killing (intentional or accidental) of a snake, especially a cobra (naga) — which is considered sacred and symbolic of life energy (Kundalini Shakti).

It is also performed for relieving Pitru Dosh (ancestral karmic imbalance) and for unfulfilled souls who died unnatural or untimely deaths.

🌿 Purpose of the Ritual

The Nagbali part specifically aims to:

  1. Atone for killing or harming a snake — even symbolically or unknowingly.

  2. Release souls of ancestors who are restless due to unnatural death or neglected rites.

  3. Remove Pitru Dosh and related obstacles in the family.

  4. Grant peace (moksha) to the departed and prosperity to the descendants.

The Narayan Bali part complements it by helping any wandering souls (preta atmas) attain liberation through symbolic cremation rituals.

📜 Scriptural Basis

The ritual is mentioned in the Garuda Purana and the Skanda Purana, both of which prescribe Narayan Nagbali to cleanse ancestral and personal sins and ensure harmony between the living and the deceased.

🕰️ When It Is Performed

  • Can be done any time of the year, but especially auspicious during:

    • Pitru Paksha (September–October)

    • Amavasya (New Moon)

    • During Shravan, Kartik, or Margashirsha months (holy months for Lord Shiva and Vishnu)

  • Should not be done during Eclipse days or Ekadashi.

  • Duration: usually 3 days.

🔱 Step-by-Step Process of Nagbali Shraddha

Performed under the guidance of an experienced Trimbakeshwar Purohit or Vedic priest.

Day 1 – Sankalp & Narayan Bali

  • The devotee takes a holy bath and makes a sankalp (vow) stating their lineage and intent.

  • A symbolic effigy (pind made of wheat flour and ghee) representing the soul of the departed is created.

  • Vedic mantras are chanted to invoke and release the trapped soul (preta atma) into peace through symbolic cremation.

  • This helps wandering or dissatisfied ancestors find liberation.

Day 2 – Nag Bali Ritual

  • A snake effigy made of wheat flour (atta nag) is created and placed on kusha grass in a ritual layout.

  • The act represents the unintentional killing of a snake, symbolizing harm to nature’s balance.

  • Special mantras from the Garuda Purana and Nag Devata Suktas are recited.

  • The devotee seeks forgiveness from Nag Devata (Serpent God) and Lord Shiva.

  • Offerings (bali) of milk, honey, and flowers are made, and the effigy is symbolically “cremated” — freeing the karma associated with the act.

Day 3 – Pitru Shraddha and Pind Daan

  • The devotee performs Pind Daan and Tarpan to offer peace to the ancestors.

  • Food and charity are given to Brahmins and the poor.

  • Crows, cows, and dogs are fed — symbolizing offerings reaching the Pitras.

  • The ritual concludes with prayers for family harmony and spiritual purification.

📍 Main Places for Nagbali Shraddha in India

Temple / Place Location Significance Trimbakeshwar Temple Nashik, Maharashtra The most famous site for Narayan Nagbali; performed on the banks of the Godavari River. Gokarna Karnataka Another powerful site for Pitru-related rituals and Nag Puja. Rameswaram Tamil Nadu Known for ancestral rituals and Moksha rites. Haridwar & Prayagraj Uttar Pradesh Performed on the banks of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers.

🔮 Mantras Commonly Chanted

  • Nag Gayatri Mantra:
    Om Nagendraya Vidmahe Vasuki Dhimahi Tanno Sarpa Prachodayat

  • Mahamrityunjaya Mantra for liberation and peace

  • Pitru Tarpan Mantras for ancestors

  • Garuda Purana shlokas describing the release of souls

🌺 Benefits of Performing Nagbali Shraddha

✅ Removes Pitru Dosh and family curses
✅ Grants peace to souls of ancestors and those who died unnatural deaths
✅ Neutralizes sins of harming serpents or nature
✅ Restores prosperity, fertility, and harmony in the family
✅ Purifies the family’s karmic lineage

🙏 Spiritual Significance

The Nagbali Shraddha teaches that life, nature, and ancestry are sacredly interconnected.
By performing this ritual, one:

  • Repairs karmic imbalance caused by harm to living beings

  • Honors the cycle of life and death

  • Restores peace to ancestors, oneself, and future generations

Would you like me to provide a detailed 3-day Narayan Nagbali Puja schedule at Trimbakeshwar — including the samagri (ritual materials) list, ideal dates, and how to book a priest (purohit) for it?

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