Pics by Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network
Mangalore, Aug 11 : Naga Panchami or Nagara Panchami, one of the most auspicious days in the year is celebrated on Sunday Aug 11 this year. The coastal belt and Western Ghats have been a traditional habitat of serpents since times unknown and thus Nagara Panchami is one of the most ancient and sacred festivals of this part of the coastal region.
Panchami of Shukla Paksha (fifth day after the new moon of Shravana month) or fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shravana month as per Hindu calendar is the day of Naga Panchami. Scientifically, the period during which the festivals fall, is known to be an ideal one for the serpents to hatch eggs.
The people of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kasargod districts worship the serpent god Subrahmanya. According to legend, the districts were reclaimed by Parashurama from the sea. Hence worship of serpent is done to original inhabitants. In the coastal belt, Subrahmanya in Sullia taluk, Kudupu near Mangalore, Kalavar near Kundapur and Manjeshwar in Kasargod district are the famous abodes of the serpent god, where devotees throng in large numbers on Naga Panchami day for worship.
After anointing rock forms of the serpent god with panchamruta, a mixture of sugar, honey, milk, curds and tender coconut water, people consume it with reverence as Lord’s blessings. Mruttika (soil collected from the base of the abode of the serpent god) and turmeric are also used as the 'prasadam'.
About Nagas
According to a Puranic myth Brahma’s son Kashyapa had four wives. Kashyapa’s first wife gave birth to Devatas, second to Garudas, third to Nagas and fourth to Daityas. The third wife of Kashyapa was called Kadroo and hence Nagas are also known as Kadroojas, who were rulers of Patala loka or land beneath the earth.
Origin of snake worship
Snake worship, no doubt, owes its origin to man's natural fear of these reptiles. Our ancestors developed the idea of setting up separate groves in their backyards, specifically for creating habitats named 'Nagabana' for the poisonous snakes. The ant hills which house the serpents visible everywhere in the past are a rarity now due to dominance of concrete structures. There are a number of legends associated with Naga Panchami. However, the two of these legends are widely know.
As per a legend, on the day of Naga Panchami, ploughing field is forbidden. One has it that on this day, while tilling his land, a farmer accidentally killed some young serpents. The mother of these serpents took revenge by biting and killing the farmer and his family except one daughter as she happened to pray Nagas. This act of devotion resulted in the revival of the farmer and his family. Since then, Nag Panchami has been celebrated in India.
Another legend goes that young Lord Krishna was playing with his friends near river Yamuna, when a ball fell into the river. Krishna volunteered to fetch the ball and ventured into river, the abode of dreaded cobra, Kalinga. Kalinga who was disturbed by Krishna’s presence tried to harm him. However, he overcame the cobra and jumped with joy on the cobra’s head. Eventually, Kalinga was sorry for his action and cobra was let free. Since then it is said Naga Panchami is celebrated to commemorate the day of Krishna’s victory.
According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes Vasuki, Takshaka, Kalinga, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk, on the day, they ensure freedom from danger for their families.
The people living in coastal Karnataka and Kerala have long believed that Lord Naga, the serpent god and Lord Subrahmanya, son of Lord Shiva are one and the same. Since long, consecration of the serpent god in the form of sculpted rocks is believed to be immensely beneficial for the couple who are unable to conceive an off-spring. The bases of sacred fig trees are considered to be auspicious for housing such Nagabimbas. People also seek the Naga's help for curing skin and eye-related diseases.
Naga Panchami is also observed in various parts of the country including north Karnataka and Maharashtra.