Ashlesha Bali Pooja: Meaning, Vidhi, 2026-27 Dates and How to Book

Last updated: September 2026 · By the Divine Hindu Team, Jayanagar 3rd Block East, Bengaluru 560011 · ~12 min read

What is Ashlesha Bali pooja?

Ashlesha Bali (also written Ashlesha Bali puja or Aslesha Bali) is a shanti rite for the Nagas, the serpent deities of Hindu tradition. "Shanti" means pacification or peace. "Bali" here means an offering of food and grains. It does not mean an animal sacrifice.

The rite takes its name from Ashlesha, the ninth of the 27 nakshatras (lunar mansions). According to Drik Panchang, Ashlesha spans 16°40' to 30° of Karka (Cancer). Its symbol is a serpent. Its presiding deities are the Sarpas or Nagas, and its ruling planet is Budh (Mercury). Because the Nagas preside over this star, tradition holds that a puja to them is best offered while the Moon is in Ashlesha.

The Moon passes through all 27 nakshatras in about 27 days. So Ashlesha comes round roughly once a month and lasts for about a day each time.

In practice, Ashlesha Bali brings together three things. First, a sankalp: a formal statement of intent with your name and gotra (family lineage). Second, a puja to the Nagas on a serpent mandala. Third, a homa with Naga mantras that ends in a purnahuti, the final offering into the fire.

Why Ashlesha Bali is linked with Kukke Subramanya

Ask anyone in Karnataka about Ashlesha Bali and they will likely mention Kukke Subramanya. The temple stands on the Kumaradhara river in Dakshina Kannada district. There, Lord Subramanya (Kartikeya) is worshipped as a Naga.

Temple legend says the serpent king Vasuki took refuge at Kukke to escape Garuda, and that Subramanya became the protector of serpents. Ashlesha Bali and Sarpa Samskara are among the temple's best-known sevas (services offered to the deity). Nagara Panchami and Shashti are among its main festivals, and devotees arrive in large numbers on Ashlesha days.

A plain word on this. Divine Hindu is independent. We are not connected with Kukke Subramanya temple, the Sri Ranganathaswamy temple at Srirangapatna, or any temple or temple board. If you wish to have the seva done at Kukke itself, book it directly with the temple. Our Ashlesha Bali homa is performed by our own pandit on the Kaveri banks at Srirangapatna, not inside any temple.

Who traditionally does Ashlesha Bali?

There is no single rule. Families traditionally seek Ashlesha Bali when:

• An astrologer points to sarpa dosha or naga dosha in the kundli (birth chart). This is a Jyotisha term for an indication linked with the Nagas.
• Kaal Sarp dosh is indicated. Astrologers use this name when all seven classical planets sit between Rahu and Ketu in the chart. Our guide to Kaal Sarp dosh remedies explains it.
• Rahu or Ketu is prominent in the chart, and a Naga puja has been suggested alongside other remedies. See our Rahu dosh remedies guide for the usual options.
• The person was born in Ashlesha nakshatra and the family wishes to honour the star's deities.
• The family remembers harm done to a snake, knowingly or not, and wishes to ask forgiveness of the Nagas.

Some couples who are waiting for a child also offer Ashlesha Bali in faith. This is a deeply personal matter. The puja is a prayer, not a medical step, and it should never replace your doctor's advice.

Ashlesha Bali puja benefits: what tradition holds

People often search for "Ashlesha Bali puja benefits". The honest answer is that the benefits are spiritual and are held in faith. Tradition holds that:

• the Nagas are honoured, and their goodwill is sought for the family;
• the family asks forgiveness for any harm done to serpents, in this life or an earlier one;
• the rite is traditionally believed to ease what an astrologer calls sarpa dosha;
• the family gets a focused day of prayer, which many people find brings peace of mind.

We do not promise any outcome, whether in marriage, children, health, career or money. Anyone who promises such results for a fee is going beyond what the tradition itself says.

How Ashlesha Bali is done: the general vidhi

Vidhi means the ritual procedure. Details differ between temples, regions and pandit families. The broad order is:

1. Preparation. The family bathes and wears clean traditional clothes. Many keep a light fast until the puja ends.
2. Ganapati puja and punyahavachana. Lord Ganesha is worshipped first, and the space is purified with mantras.
3. Sankalp. The pandit states the purpose of the puja with your names, gotra and often your nakshatra.
4. Kalasha sthapana. A kalasha (sacred water pot) is set up to invoke the deities. Navagraha puja for the nine planets usually follows.
5. Sarpa mandala and Naga puja. A serpent mandala is drawn with coloured powders. The Nagas are worshipped on it with turmeric, milk, flowers and other offerings.
6. Homa. Oblations go into the sacred fire with Naga mantras such as the Sarpa Sukta. Some families add japa (repetition) of the Sarpa Gayatri.
7. Bali and purnahuti. The food offering is made, and the purnahuti closes the homa. Aarti follows.

At Kukke Subramanya, published guides describe the seva being done in batches. Devotees sit around a serpent rangoli while priests chant and the offerings are made. At a private homa, the same steps are done for one family, and the rite usually takes a few hours.

Afterwards, many families eat simple vegetarian food for the rest of the day and avoid onion and garlic. Customs vary, so follow what your pandit advises.

Ashlesha Bali vs Sarpa Samskara vs Kaal Sarp Dosh puja vs Nag Bali

These four rites are often confused. They share the serpent theme, but they are not the same thing.

If Kaal Sarp dosh is your specific concern, our Kaal Sarp dosh nivaran pooja guide explains that rite in detail. Nag Bali belongs with the ancestral rites, and our Narayan Bali guide covers it.

Sarpa Samskara: an in-person rite we do not offer online

Sarpa Samskara is a samskara (rite) for a serpent. Tradition holds that a snake that was killed, knowingly or not, should receive last rites, just as a person would. At Kukke Subramanya it is a two-day seva. On the first day, a symbolic serpent form receives funeral rites in a homa. On the second day, a Naga image is installed and worshipped.

The devotee is expected to be present on both days. The temple sets its own rules, slots and booking process, so please check them with the temple directly.

Divine Hindu does not offer Sarpa Samskara online, and we do not take in-person bookings on our website. If travel is not possible, some families choose a Naga puja done on their behalf instead, such as Ashlesha Bali or a Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja. Ask your own astrologer or pandit which rite suits your situation.

Ashlesha nakshatra dates 2026–27 (October to March)

These are the Ashlesha nakshatra periods from October 2026 to March 2027, in IST, from Prokerala's panchang. A nakshatra begins and ends at the same moment everywhere in India. Sunrise differs by city, though, so panchangs sometimes name a different main day. Times are for India; confirm with your local panchang.

November 2026 has two Ashlesha periods. When Ashlesha runs across two dates, the pandit fixes the day and the muhurat (auspicious time) from the panchang.

Booking note: bookings for our Ashlesha Bali homa close at 4 PM IST, 7 days before the puja date. If you want the rite on an Ashlesha nakshatra day, pick one from the table that is at least 7 days away — for example, Monday 2 November 2026 closes at 4 PM IST on Monday 26 October. You can also choose another date; the pandit fixes the muhurat for the day you pick and our team confirms it on WhatsApp.

How to have Ashlesha Bali done privately, on your behalf

Not everyone can travel to Kukke or wait for a temple slot. Our pandit performs a private Ashlesha Bali homa near the Kaveri Sangama at Srirangapatna, an island town on the Kaveri in Mandya district, Karnataka. You can read about the place in our guide to the Srirangapatna Sangam.

• Private: only your family's names and gotra are in the sankalp. It is not a group puja.
• What is done: Ganapati puja, punyahavachana and sankalp; kalasha sthapana and navagraha puja; sarpa mandala puja; the Ashlesha Bali homa and purnahuti. You can add 1,008 recitations of the Sarpa Gayatri.
• Time: about 4 to 5 hours. Ashlesha nakshatra days are preferred, and our team shares the nearest one.
• Muhurat: our team confirms the date on WhatsApp and shares the muhurat fixed by the pandit.
• Video: the video of your puja reaches you on WhatsApp within 3 to 4 days.
• Prasad: none is sent for the Srirangapatna pujas.
• Booking closes: 4 PM IST, 7 days before the puja date.

If you were advised a shorter Naga puja

Some astrologers suggest a simpler Naga puja rather than a full homa. Our Sarpa Dosha Nivarana Puja at Srirangapatna takes about 2 to 3 hours. It includes Ganapati puja and sankalp, Naga puja with turmeric, milk and flowers, sarpa shanti mantras and aarti. Its booking closes at 4 PM IST, 2 days before the puja date.

If Kaal Sarp dosh was named specifically

For a Kaal Sarp indication, you can book our separate Kaal Sarp Dosh Nivaran Pooja. It begins with a sankalp in your name and gotra, followed by mantra japa and havan, and you receive a video or photos afterwards.

New to pujas done on your behalf? Read how an online puja works, and what tradition says on whether a puja can be done remotely.

Other days linked with the Nagas

Nag Panchami, in the month of Shravana, is the other great day of Naga worship across India. Our Nag Panchami 2026 guide covers its date and rituals. A simpler Naga puja, such as a sarpa dosha puja, is traditionally performed either on Nag Panchami or on an Ashlesha nakshatra day.

Before you book: a short summary

Ashlesha Bali is a prayer to the Nagas, best offered on Ashlesha nakshatra. Kukke Subramanya is the temple most people associate with it, and Sarpa Samskara there remains an in-person rite. If you would like the homa done on your behalf, choose an Ashlesha day from the table above, book at least 7 days ahead, and our team will confirm the muhurat on WhatsApp.

Related reading: Kaal Sarp dosh remedies · Rahu dosh remedies · Nag Panchami 2026 · The 27 nakshatras · Narayan Bali puja · Paschima Vahini, Srirangapatna

This guide is for educational and devotional purposes and reflects traditional practice. Confirm exact muhurat timings with your local panchang.