Mangaluru, Aug 19: Nagara Panchami, a festival dedicated to worship snakes was celebrated with great fervour across coastal Karnataka as ‘Naga’ occupies distinct place in Tulu Nadu.
This festival is observed on the fifth day of Shravana month of the lunar calendar, 'Atida amavasya' or the 'Amavasya' of the Aashaadha month. On this day families visit the ancestral place to offer prayers or to temples dedicated to Lord Subramanya.
Serpentine queue was seen at pious land of Kukke Sri Subramnya temple, which is the focal point of snake worship. Similarly the divine 'naga banas' across the districts had people offering prayers for well-being of their family.
Milk, honey, ghee, tender coconut water, turmeric and flowers make the essential ingredients for the worship of Snake ‘gods’. Areca flowers too hold special significance in the worship culture.
On this day the devotees through the designated priest perform the 'abhisheka' of the ingredients on the 'naga' sculptures installed in the shrines seeking the benevolence and blessings of snake gods.
Snakes are considered by a section of Hindus as ‘gods’ bestowing fertility. Hence, for them this day holds a lot of importance to those seeking children. Special offering are made by people suffering from skin ailments too because it is strongly believed that skin ailments are manifestation of curse from the serpent gods.
Family members come together and perform the prayers at home. The offering are either made at the anthills or at the 'naga' shrines in the vicinity or in the 'naga' shrines located inside the temples. Sweet rice cakes cooked in turmeric leaves are the special delicacy prepared on this day in almost every household.
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