Mangalore: 'Naga Panchami', Festival of Serpents Celebrated with Fervour


Mangalore: 'Naga Panchami', Festival of Serpents Celebrated with Fervour

by Suresh Padiyar - Pics: Sphoorti Ullal
for Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (GA)

To Watch Video Click here

Mangalore, Aug 6: People living in the coastal region of Karnataka believe that serpents are the visible incarnations of the angels. The coastal belt and the Western Ghats have been a traditional habitat of serpents since times unknown. Our ancestors developed the idea of setting up separate thickets in their backyards, specifically for creating habitats named 'Nagabana' for the poisonous snakes. The ant hills which house the serpents were visible everywhere in the past, but with the encroachment of concrete structures everywhere, they have become very rare now.

Panchami of the Shukla Paksha (fifth day after the new moon) of Shravana month in Hindu calendar is known as the Nagapanchami day. This is the first festival to be observed as per the Hindu calendar. The other occasions on which the serpent god is worshipped are Ananta Vrtutha, Subrahmanya Shashti and Kiru Shashti. Scientifically, the period during which these festivals fall, is known to be an ideal one for the serpents to hatch eggs.

Worship of the serpents has been mentioned in various mythological works of Indian culture. Serpents are believed to be belonging to a section of demigods who live below the earth in their own kingdom. They are believed to be having special powers, like cursing the people and giving boons to those who bow before them. Some of the serpents on a 'higher plane' are believed to be having the power to acquire human forms at their will.

The people living in coastal Karnataka and Kerala have long believed that Lord Naga, the serpent god and Lord Subrahmanya, son of Lord Shiva are one and the same, even though this concept does not have the backing of any specific reasoning. Services of Naga Patris, people who are believed to be having the power to invoke the serpent god on themselves, are used both for placing before the Lord the problems faced by the people, specifically about the misfortunes the families face, and getting  a solution there from. The advices given by the Nagapatri are followed in toto, like organizing special worship of the serpent god, etc. Since long, consecration of the serpent god in the form of sculpted rocks, is believed to be immensely beneficial for the couple which are unable to conceive an off-spring. The bases of sacred fig trees are considered to be auspicious for housing such Nagabimbas. People also seek the Naga's help for curing skin and eyes related diseases. If any one kills a serpent by mistake, they need to repent for the deed and get rid of the sin by following appropriate rituals like Naga Samskara (last rituals) at temples.

People believe that they have to perform ritualistic worship of the serpent god at the traditional place of worship (Moolanaga), where their forefathers had paid obeisance to the Naga. This practice perhaps, came into being for the people belonging to the lineage to congregate at a particular spot at least once annually to keep touch with their close ones.

Naga Panchami is also observed in various parts of the country including north Karnataka and Maharastra. In north Karnataka and some parts of Maharashtra, ant hills and live Nagas are worshipped on Naga Panchami day. In the coastal belt, Subrahmanya in Sullia taluk, Kudupu near Mangalore, Kalavar near Kundapur and Manjeshwar in Kasargod district are the famous abodes of the serpent god, where devotees throng in large numbers on the Naga Panchami day and offer various kinds of worships to appease Him. After anointing rock forms of the serpent god with Panchamrutha, a mixture of sugar, honey, milk, curds, honey and tender coconut water, people consume it with reverence, believing that they get His blessings and protection as a result. Mruttika (soil collected from the base of the abode of the serpent god) and turmeric are also used as the 'Prasadam' of the serpent god.

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Comment on this article

  • J. P. SHETTY, UDUPI

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    Thaks to daiji,for showing Nagapanchmi pooja photo's.It is really heart touching.

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  • BK KANCHAN, hosabettu/dubai

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    Excellent photo's, thanks Daijiworld doing excellent job, Happy nagara panchami to everybody

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  • Shrinath, Udupi

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    I agree with Gopal, Mangalore. He is correct..108% correct. Its our sentimental and cultural values too.

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  • Nayan, Managalore/Coimbatore

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    Tulunadu da Maatheregla Nagarapanchami da Shubhahayolu,Sri Ananthapadmanabha dever maatheregla edde malpad. Daijiworld Excellent..Tks for taking us to Kudupu.

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  • Sampath kumar, Mangalore

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    Wishing you all happy Nagara-Panchami. God bless all of you

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  • Nayan , Mangalore/coimbatore

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    Tulunadu da maatheregla nagarpanchami da shubhashayolu. Thanks Daiji world for taking us to Kudupu. Excellent.., Lord Ananthapadmanabha bless all of us

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  • NARENDRA KUMAR, BANASHANKARI/BANGALORE

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    KALLARA NAGARA KANDARE HALERE YEMBARAYYA, DITARA NGARA KANDARE KOLLEMBARAYYA.

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  • Reema Pandit, Mangalore / Canada

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    First of all Let me wish all the devotees of Naag a happy feast. I am little bit disturbed by the comments made by Gopal. You should be sent to Somalia, then you'll definitely understand the value of any food. No food is unclean. Worship God not his creations. That's all my point. Some parts of the world may not be having vegetarian food because of the climate and they have to depend on meat. Now tell me, should the people starve because of vegetarian choice of food? Gopal, when you are hungry you just want to fill your stomach and you'll not see what food is kept on your plate, you'll have to just gobble it up. Please do not sensationalize the issue. Thank You.

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  • Francis-Mangalore, Mangalore

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy Nagarapanchammi day to all. Let be a part to celebrate occassion like this in broad minded individual...The Comments of ..GOPAL are very disrespectful and immsture..Such person should keep away by commenting in this Good celebration & Happy occassions..GOD BLESS ALL .

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  • R shetty, udupi, saudi aribia

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy Nagarpanchami. God Bless us all Indians!

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  • Fr Roque D'Souza, Mangalore (Seminary)/ Fort Dodge, Iowa

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    I appreciate the photo coverage and lengthy news explanation of this item. Of course, Nagarapanchami is good occasion to know something more about our Hindu brethren's religiosity. We see, big revival of Hinduism and many may feel proud of it. Sometimes, I wonder, where it will all lead us. Gopal,s (Mangalore)comment is quite disturbing. How narrow we may turn out, if we expect all others to follow our religiosity. Can't we call snakes, snakes and cows, cows? Of course they have their beauty and sacredness as God's creatures. Are we loosing our balance by mixing up too much of bias and religious sentimentality in these cultural showcases? May be I sound intolerant, but let us be honest!!

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  • Reshma Mendonca, Udyavar/ Bangalore

    Thu, Aug 07 2008

    Gopal and everyone who appreciates Gopal's views, all I would like to bring to light is that "WE ALL ARE A PART OF THE FOOD CHAIN". We dont have to bring the government in for issues such as Cow-Slaughter and Serpent-Slaughter. I would prefer if we learn to bring to notice Human Slaughter in the name of Religion.

    We first need to concentrate on living and let live people of all race and religion. And as per your interest can you stop a Lion or any wild animal from eating a Cow just because the Hindus worship it? I think we will have two scenarios coming up then. Either the Wild animals will be arrested for preying on a cow or they may have to switch to eating Humans as an option for the cattle.

    Therefore, request you to acknowledge that we need not build up great hills out of small mounds and shed more of Human-Blood. Enjoy the peace and bliss of NagaraPanchami and may God Bless you all. Curses come in un-invited but Blessings need to be earned.

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  • Deepesh Rajan, Udupi - Abu Dhabi

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Good comment Munir, we all need to be like this appreciate one an other as a human and not diffrenciate by religion. Let's all remmember that it is we the people who made religion. Non of the religion says to do evil. So let us all learn to live as humans first rather than fight on the name of religion which has no positive path

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  • PRASAD SHETTY, MANGALORE (DUBAI)

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy nagapanchami to all of you.

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  • shahnawaz kukkikatte, udupi/dubai

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Preetha, our country needs more secular people like you. Your farsightedness and belief in diversity is the need of hour. we have to put our house in order first and advise others.

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  • sadashiv B Manjeshwar, Manjeshwar Kasargod

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    wishing you  all happy nagapanchmi

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  • Augustine Daniel DSouza, Udupi Vasai Virar/State of KUWAIT

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy Nagapanchami to all of you in State of Karnataka

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  • Karunkar Balkur, Kundapura

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy nagapanchami to all of you....

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  • M Laxmidas, Mangalore / Dubai

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy Naga Panchami. God Bless All.

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  • M Laxmidas, Mangalore / Dubai

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy Naga Panchami. God Bless All.

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  • bhaskar, Neermarga/Dubai

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Thanks to Daijiworld Team for taking us to Kudupu Temple on occassion of "Nagapanchami" . Especially Pooja pictures really touching... may Lord Ananthapadmanabha bless us all.

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  • jnanesh shetty, kattadapadpu (dubai)

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    thanks daiji

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  • Kishore, Mangalore(Dubai)

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy Nagarapanchami to all of you. I am really greatful to Daijii World for bringing back the festive mood in us. Thank you.May Gob Bless All.

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  • Melvyn, Mangalore

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy nagapanchami to all of you.

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  • Santhosh( Dubai), Mangalore

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Thanks daiji. this year I missed nagarapanchami. last timI was in Kudupu during the time of Nagarapanchami. This year because of you people I am watching nagarapanchami celebration.

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  • Santhosh Kumar Devadas, Mangalore/Sharjah

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Thanks to Daijiworld Team for taking me to Kudupu Temple on this "Nagapanchami" day. Especially Pooja pictures really touching...

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  • Preetha, Mangalore

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Gopal, it is high time you grew up and made some mature comments. People like you make issues like religion and castes etc. come in the way of peaceful living! Who are you to stop the WORLD from eating cow meat and killing serpents for their food? Remember, all that you also eat, is in some way or the other, a thing of worship for may be another community or tribe, somewhere in some part of the world....so beware, and make a more matured statement henceforth....

    There are plenty of other vital issues which you could put your hands to, and make life a bit better. Dont let your emotions rule practicality.

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  • Munir Ahmad, LULU / KUWAIT

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    GOOD PHOTOGRAPHS KEEP IT UP. NICE TO SEE THE PEOPLE AROUND THE TAMPLE GOOD CROWD SAME LIKE URS IN DARGA SHARIF OF "BABA BUDAANGIRI".

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  • Santhosh, Mangalore/Dubai

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Gopal our govt have many other things to do when you give such comments be mature.

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  • Gopal, Mangalore

    Wed, Aug 06 2008

    Happy nagapanchami to all of you. Thanks to daijiworld.com for bringing the celebrations to our homes. Naga will bless you abundantly and will curse those who kill it. Nagas are being killed in China, Korea, Japan, vietnam, philippines for meat and for other purposes in Europe, Africa, Americas.

    We should make efforts to ban the killings of Nagas in foreign countries. They should know that it is Hindus God. They should also stop killing Cows because they also are our Gods. Our Government should make efforts to stop slaughter of Cows everywhere in the world as a respect to Hindus.

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Title: Mangalore: 'Naga Panchami', Festival of Serpents Celebrated with Fervour



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