Mangalore: Hindu Society Prostrates Before Serpent God on Nag Panchami

Pics: Sphoorti Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Aug 14: Nagara Panchami (also known as Nag Panchami in other states) for this year falls on Saturday August 14, this being the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shravana month. People normally approach Nagabana (groves of trees and bushes) under which stone images of the serpent god are consecrated, perform puja, bathe the images with honey, sugar, ghee, milk and tender coconut water (Panchamrita) and consume a mixture of these items as blessing from the serpent god.

The custom of worshipping serpents was prevalent even before the Vedic period. Perhaps, like the sun, rivers and the holy fig tree, which the people worship as representatives of mother nature, people started fearing the serpents, which normally come out of their holes during the rainy season as rain water enters their holes, and get holed up in thatched and tiled roofs of houses and cattle sheds, where they get to eat rats. Even accidental killing of serpents is believed to be ominous, and rituals like ‘Sarpa Samskara’ are performed to wash oneself of this sin. People also believe that any injustices done by their ancestors to the serpent god come haunting them in the form of ‘Sarpa Dosha’, and perform various pujas to get rid of them.

Stories about great Naga kings and gods like Anant, Vasuki, Sheshnag (on whom Lord Vishnu is couched), Karkotak, Shankhpal etc., are found in ancient scriptures. While South Indians normally pay obeisance to stone images of serpent gods, live serpents are worshipped in a few villages in Maharashtra. Even the Jains believe that a serpent had saved Lord Buddha, and a hood of a serpent can be seen covering the head of sage Parshwanath. A coiled serpent around his neck is a permanent feature of Lord Shiva. Nag Panchami is performed in Nepal too.

In Dakshina Kannada, worships like Naga Tambila, Panchamritabhisheka, are popular methods of appeasing the serpent god. People here believe that on this day, chilli powder and seasoning with oil should not be used while cooking, as they disturb the serpents.

Subrahmanya in Sullia taluk, Manjeshwar in Kasargod district and Kudupu in the city are some of the places thronged by the devotees to offer various pujas and services on Nag Panchami day.