Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (MS)

Mangaluru, Aug 21: Worship of Lord Naga has a unique place in the land of Tulunadu. Every year on the day of Nagara Panchami, Kedage (Fragrant Screw Pine) and Sampige (Champa) flowers are offered for poojs of Naga which are believed to be the favourites of Lord Naga.

This year, however, it seems that the worshippers of Naga have been taken for a ride by flower sellers at Car Street in the city. Instead of Kedage, they have sold Mundevu (Common Screw Pine) that grows beside sewage water flow at a high price of Rs 300 per bunch. A video of this cheating has gone viral on social media.

Some devotees bought Kedage to be offered to Naga shrine that was said to be bought in Car Street. However, one of the devotees who observed the leaves of the flower closely said that they are Mundevu and not Kedage. The observer also advises all devotees how to identify genuine Kedage flowers. He has also accused that the same Mundevu leaves are sold abundantly in Car Street.

Elderly people also advise devotees to be careful while plucking Kedage flowers as it is believed that the Cobra resides in these bushes as it likes the smell of Kedage.

According to the devotees Rs 300 is taken for bunch of duplicate Mundevu flowers instead of Kedage. It is accused that the sellers might have amassed thousands of rupees from gullible devotees.