Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB/EP)

Udupi, Jul 25: Celebrations of Nagara Panchami remained simple at Ermal Janardhan temple this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The puja and Tanu Santarpane were held by a handful of devotees as the temple management had announced that the celebrations will be simple.

The chief priest of the temple, Krishnamurthy Bhat said that they have decided to refrain from large scale celebrations this year. “But devotees have brought milk and tender coconuts. We have offered them to god avoiding any problems. May the snake god worshipped by people of Tulunadu as the living god, rescue the world from the disaster of COVID-19.”

Sathish Bhat, Barpani Santhosh Shetty, Sanjay Bhat, Dhanush Bhat, Shivaprasad Shetty Elladadi and others were present.

Majur near Kaup resident Govardhan Bhat gave bath to live snakes being taken care of at his residence, lit a lamp and celebrated Nagara Panchami.

Govardhan Bhat who is a caterer by profession also works as an electrician. In the last twenty years, he has been bringing snakes injured in road accidents, providing them treatment and leaving them in forests after their recovery. He responds to any phone call and rushes to rescue snakes without expecting anything in return and is called doctor of snakes.

At least one or two snakes are found in his residence during Nagara Panchami every year. Ten snakes are being treated in his house this year.

Govardhan Bhat brought out all the snakes from their cages, bathed them and lit Arati today on Nagara Panchami day. His wife and two children were present.