Mangaluru: Devotees across the coastal district of Karnataka were seen flocking to the prominent serpent (Naga) temples to offer worship the snake gods on the auspicious day of Nagara Panchami.
The festival, which is observed by Hindus throughout India and other countries is observed on the fifth day of bright half of Lunar month of Shravan (July/August), according to the Hindu calendar. People worship the snake gods by pouring milk, honey, curd, sugar, tender coconut, and ghee over the stone idols apart from offering flowers, fruits etc in the shrines dedicated to snake gods.
Nagara Panchami holds a lot of importance in South India and people believe that in return for their worship they will not be affected by the Naga Dosha. With the view to appease the snake gods,most people offer worship at Kudupu Shri Anantha Padmanaba Kshetra, Malagadevi, Kukke Subramanya Temple and Shri Sharavu Mahaganapathi Temple as also at their family banas on this day.
According to the Bhavishya Purana, when men bathe the snakes Vasuki, Takshaka, Kaliya, Manibhadra, Airavata, Dhritarashtra, Karkotaka and Dhananjaya with milk, on the fifth day of the bright fortnight of Shravan month, they ensure freedom from danger for their families. As per a legend, on the day of Naga Panchami, ploughing a field is forbidden.
