Fervour, gaiety marks Nagara Panchami

It is celebrated on Panchami in Shravan month (fifth day after the new moon of Shravana month) as per Hindu calendar.

On the day, people go to temples and snake pits to worship Naga Devata (Serpent God). It is believed to be one of the most auspicious days of the entire year. Kukke Shree Subramanya temple, Kudupu Shree Anantha Padmanabha Temple and Anantha Padmanabha temple at Manjeshwara are famous temples dedicated to Naga where Nagara Panchami is celebrated in a grand way. In fact, a ‘serpentine’ queue of devotees was found on Thursday at various temples across the district to offer pooja to the idols of Naga and seek his blessings for the well being of the family. They offered milk, tender coconut, honey, turmeric and flowers to the idols of Naga.

Said to be the god of fertility, several couples who do not have children, offered prayers to the Serpent God on the day.

The ‘naga bana’ situated at the backyard of Kudpu Shree Anantha Padmanabha Temple saw thousands of devotees carrying offerings like tender coconut, milk, honey etc to offer it to the god. Special poojas like ‘Panchamrutha abhisheka’, ‘Naga Thambila’ were offered by the devotees to the God. After the ‘Mahapooja,’ ‘annasantharpane’ (free meals) were served at the temple. A large number of devotees also visited Sharau Mahaganapathy temple and offered their offerings to Naga idol outside the temple.

Apart from the poojas in the temples, poojas were also offered at most of the ‘nagasbanas’ installed at the household levels, localities etc.

Nagara Panchami is synonymous with ‘Manjal eretha gatti’ (sweets made in turmeric leaf). It is a typical dish prepared in all the houselholds who observe this festival in the region.

In Udupi
The festival was celebrated traditionally with religious and spiritual fervor in Udupi too. The devotional atmosphere prevailed all over the district especially in the villages where several “Nagabanas” are found.

According to the belief, devotees in this part of the region visited the “Moolasthanas” of Naga to offer “Thanu” (pouring milk and tender coconut water on the snake god and offering “Kedage” flower). It is believed that Naga is fond of “Kedage” and offering “Kedage” makes the god pleased with the prayers offered by the devotees. Devotees also thronged to “Anantheshwara” and “Madanantheshawara” temples to offer prayers. As Lord Shiva is closely associated with Naga, Nagarapanchami is observed at the Nagabanas in Shiva temples.

Sri Krishna Mutt celebrated Nagarapanchami by offering prayers to Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was specially adorned with the decoration of “Kalinga Mardana” on the occasion. Hymns were chanted. The day also coincides with Lord Krishna’s victory over “Kalinga”. Sri Krishna Mutt organised “Nagamandalothsava” to mark the celebrations.   Devotes especially women and girls visited temples in large numbers.