Daijiworld Media Network – Moodbidri
Moodbidri, July 29: The sacred occasion of "Nagara Panchami" was observed with grandeur and devotion today across all 18 Jain basadis in Sri Jain Kashi, Moodbidri, as well as in several other Jain temples across Dakshina Kannada district.
The temples reverberated with spiritual fervour as ritual ablutions (abhisheka) were performed to Naga Deva using water, tender coconut, milk, turmeric, and sandalwood paste. A wide array of traditional delicacies were also offered as naivedya to the deity.
The celebrations were led by Swastishree Charukeerthi Bhattarak Panditacharya Swamiji, the revered pontiff of the Sri Digambar Jain Mutt, Moodbidri, who participated in key rituals at Guru Basadi, Kere Basadi, the Thousand Pillar Basadi, and the ancient Naga Bana near Kalsanka. Swamiji also performed the symbolic serpent-carrying ritual, an integral part of the festival.
In his address to devotees, Swamiji highlighted the deep cultural and religious significance of serpent worship in both Vedic and Jain traditions. “In Sanatana Dharma, serpent worship holds a sacred place. There are twelve principal serpent forms: Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padma, Kambala, Karkotaka, Ashvatara, Dhritarashtra, Shankhapala, Kaliya, Takshaka, and Pingala. Each is linked to one of the twelve months of the year,” he said.
Swamiji further explained the rich legacy of Naga reverence in Jainism, referencing the Kannada Jain literary work ‘Nagakumara Charite’ authored by Pushpadanta, a well-known poet. He also cited the 1st-century Jain scripture "Tattvartha Sutra", written by Acharya Umaswamy, which mentions that serpents dwell in celestial palaces (bhavanas).
He elaborated on Jain cosmology, noting that ten great serpents—Ananta, Vasuki, Takshaka, Karkotaka, Padma, Mahapadma, Shankhapala, Kulika, Jaya, and Vijaya—are described as Maha Uragas (mighty serpents), and that 60,000 serpent clans are offered argya (ritual offering) during daily Jina puja rituals.
Swamiji also narrated the tale of King Nagakumara, who is believed to have attained spiritual liberation after observing the Naga Panchami fasting vow, a story widely known in Jain tradition.
The midday worship session concluded with blessings from Acharya Gulab Bhushan Maharaj, further elevating the spiritual atmosphere of the occasion.
Those who took part in the rituals included Abhayachandra Jain, Shailendra, Sanjayant Kumar, chief priest Parshwanath Indra, Viraj, Suvidhi, and Jagatpal Indra, among others.