Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje/Sumanth Poojary

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru/Udupi (MS/TP)

Mangaluru/Udupi, Aug 9: Various Nagaradhana Kshetras in the twin districts, including the renowned Kukke Sri Subramanya Kshetra, Kudupu Sri Anantha Padmanabha Temple, and Sri Krishna Math in Udupi, celebrated Nagara Panchami with devotion on Friday, August 9.

In addition to the temples, many family-owned Nagabanas also held special poojas and religious programmes.

The twin districts witnessed extensive buying of flowers and tender coconuts for the festival on Thursday. Nagara Panchami is the first festival of the festive season in the coastal districts. Following Pattanaje, the festival season begins with Nagara Panchami and is followed by Sankramana, Sri Krishna Janmashtami, and Lord Ganesha festivals.

Mangaluru

Udupi

Devotees flocked to various temples and shrines. The festival was observed with devotion in various Naga shrines, including renowned ones like the four Skandalayas (Mucchalakodu, Mangodu, Tangodu and Aritodu), Sri Venkatramana Temple, Neelavara Panchamikana, Sagri Vasuki Subramanya Temple, and Badagupete Anantha Padmanabha Temple.

In addition to temple rituals, several residents, including Kaup Govardhan Rao and Saligrama Sudeendra Aithal, observed the festival at home. Traditional poojas and religious ceremonies were also conducted at various Moola Nagabhanas.

On the eve of Nagara Panchami, the market saw a surge in prices for essential items needed for the celebration. Tender coconuts and flowers, in particular, were reported to be significantly more expensive.

This year, Nagara Panchami was celebrated with no environmental pollution. As the shells of tender coconuts, incense stick packets, plastic bottles, and other plastic waste cause environmental pollution, the Udupi city municipality distributed garbage bags and tubs to shrines, collected the waste, and dumped it in the dumping yard. In light of concerns about the spread of dengue and malaria, such measures were taken in Udupi.

The serpent god occupies a distinct place in the coastal region. Nagara Panchami is celebrated in honour of Lord Krishna’s triumph over the serpent Kalinga. On the day of Nagara Panchami, devotees worship snakes to ward off evil spirits.