Nagara Panchami was observed with religious fervour across Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod districts on Thursday.
Devotees gathered in large numbers at ‘Naga Banas’ (sacred groves of serpents) and performed special pujas to the serpent Gods. Thousands of devotees stood in a long queue to have the Darshan of the deity at Ananthapadmanabha temple at Kudupu on the outskirts of Mangaluru, Kukke Subrahmanya temple and Ananthapadmanabha temple at Manjeshwara, dedicated to Naga where Nagara Panchami was observed with a festive spirit.
‘Naga Tambila’ a special puja, was organised at sacred groves and temples. Special Alankara was made to Lord Ananthapadmanabha with sandal and turmeric paste, locally grown flowers and “Abhishekas.”
The devotees offered milk, tender coconut, honey, turmeric and flowers to the idols of Naga. After the ‘Mahapuje’, a mass feeding programme was organised.
A large number of devotees also visited Sharavu Mahaganapathy temple and prayed to Naga idol outside the temple. “Ashlesha Bali,” “Panchamrutha Mahabhisheka,’ ‘Nagaprathishte,’ ‘Shesha Seve,’ ‘Karthika Puje’ 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 areca nut) and Marigold was brisk and their prices were high. Flower as well as tender coconut vendors were seen selling the flowers/ tender coconuts beside the road at Hampankatta, Kankanady, State Bank area in Mangaluru and Car Street in Udupi and making quick bucks. ‘Gendali’ tender coconut was sold for Rs 40 per piece.
Nagara Panchami is synonymous with a sweet dish made in turmeric leaf. It is a dish prepared in all the houselholds who observe this festival in the region.
On account of the festival, Special ‘Alankara’ was made to God Subrahmanya at Udupi Sri Krishna Mutt. Paryaya Pejawar seer Vishwesha Theertha and junior pontiff Vishwaprasanna Swami performed special pujas on the occasion.
Special arrangements were made to perform puja at a sacred grove at Doddanagudde on the outskirts of Udupi.
