Mangaluru : Nagarapanchami celebrated with religious fervour in Dakshina Kannada district on Wednesday, August 15.

People gathered in large numbers at “Naga banas” and offered pujas to the serpent god. Huge crowds visited to the Ananthapadmanabha temple at Kudupu in Mangalore from the early hours of the day.

The special “Alankara” made to Lord Ananthapadmanabha comprised sandal and turmeric paste, locally grown flowers and “Abhishekas.”

Due to the rain, the numbers of devotees in the morning was less.

Devotees stood in the queue to have darshan of the deity at Kudupu. Subrahmanyeshwara temple at Subrahmanya, Manjeshwar Lord Ananthehwara temple , Mangaladevi Temple and other Naga temples and Family worshiped Nagabanas in the District.

The Nagarapanchami has a special importance in Dakshina Kannada. Naga worship in the form of “Naga mandala,” a folk ritual of the district, will now begin in various temples. The serpent god is worshipped with ghee, milk, sugar, honey, and tender coconut, after which these offerings are consumed as prasada.

People get together to have a community Nagapanchami, making offerings to the naga god. “Naga Tambila,” a special puja, will be organised.