Mangalore, August 4: Thousands of devotees thronged Shiv Temples across Dakshina Kannada early on Thursday morning to offer special rituals as part of Naga Panchami.
The devotees worshipped Rudra Avtaar Shiva and gave alms and clothes to snake charmers.
In Shree Ananthapadmanabha Temple of Kudupu, devotees worshipped the serpent god from 4:30 am and offered different rituals according to their financial and social status.
"Snakes are worshipped on Naga Panchami. Even before the Vedic times, the tradition of snake worshipping has been in practice," said a priest of the temple.
People offer milk to snakes on this day.
Panchami of the Shukla Paksha (fifth day after the new moon) of Shravana month in Hindu calendar is known as the Naga Panchami day. This is the first festival to be observed as per the Hindu calendar.
According to Hindu beliefs, the outcry of the sister who prays with intense yearning on the day of Naga Panchmi for the progress of her brother reaches the feet of god. Maximum chanting will be done to acquire peace on this day. Devotees stay calm and try to overcome their personality defects.
Hindu mythology is full of stories and fables about snakes. Lord Vishnu also reclines on Sheshnag while sleeping in the sea. 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.
Comments
Add new comment