Serpent gods offered special prayers in coastal districts

Nagara Panchami was observed with religious fervour across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod districts on Sunday.

People gathered in large numbers at the ‘Naga banas’ (sacred groves) and offered special poojas to the serpent gods.

Thousands of devotees stood in a long queue to have darshan of the deity at the Ananthapadmanabha Temple at Kudupu on the outskirts of Mangaluru city, at the Kukke Subrahmanya Temple, and at the Srimath Anantheshwar Temple at Manjeshwara, where Nagara Panchami is celebrated with a festive spirit.

‘Naga Tambila,’ a special puja, were organised at sacred groves and temples. The special ‘Alankara’ (decoration) made to Lord Ananthapadmanabha comprised sandal and turmeric paste, locally grown flowers and ‘Abhishekas’ (offerings). Devotees offered milk, tender coconut, honey, turmeric and flowers to the idols of the serpent gods.

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 Sharavu Mahaganapathy temple and offered their offerings to the Naga idols outside the temple. ‘Ashlesha bali,’ ‘Panchamritha Mahabhisheka,’ ‘Nagaprathishte,’ ‘Shesha seve,’ ‘Karthika pooje’ and other rituals were performed by the devotees at Kukke Subrahmanya temple.

On account of Nagara Panchami, the sale of tender coconuts, flowers including kedage, sevanthige, Hingara (flower of arecanut) and marigold had increased. Flower vendors were seen selling the flowers by the roads at Hampankatta, Kankanady and State Bank region in Mangaluru and Car Street in Udupi and making quick bucks. Gendali tender coconut was sold at Rs 40.

Nagara Panchami is synonymous with a sweet dish made in turmeric leaf. It is a dish prepared in all the households who observe this festival in the region.

On account of Nagara Panchami, special alankara was made to God Subrahmanya at Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt. Pejawar seer Vishweshatheertha and junior pontiff Vishwaprasanna Swami offered special pooja on the occasion.

Special arrangements were made for offering pooja at a sacred grove at Doddanagudde on the outskirts of Udupi. About 108 litre of milk was used for the ablution of the serpent god, at a sacred grove in front of Kidiyoor Hotel in Udupi.