Mangalore, Aug 01: Nagara Panchami, was celebrated with much devotion on the morning of Friday August 01 in various places across the city. Nagabanas as well as temples dedicated to Lord Naga and Subrahmanya were crowded by devotees.
In the coastal belt, temples like Kudupu Sri Anantha Padmanabha Temple, Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple and temples in Kalavar and Manjeshwar are seeing a huge number of devotees who are arriving to offer special prayers on this day.
Rituals like Naga Thambila, Aslesha Bali etc are offered in Nagabanas, Temples as well as Moolasthanas by the devotees.
Nagara Panchami is one of the most auspicious days in the year. It falls on the Panchami (fifth day) of Shukla Paksha (Shravana month) as per the Hindu calendar.
On this day as is the tradition, Serpent God is worshipped by offering him milk, ghee, tender coconut, honey, banana etc. Panchamrutha Abhishekam is said to be very special to the Naga. Devotees worshipping Naga are blessed with good health and fortune.
Nagara Panchami is one of the most ancient and sacred festivals in this part of the coastal region. The coastal belt and Western Ghats have been a natural habitat for serpents since times unknown. According to legend, the districts, which are known as ‘Parushuramashrusti’, were reclaimed by Parashurama from the sea. Hence worship of serpent is done to original inhabitants.
