Mangaluru : Nagara Panchami Festival is one of the auspicious day for Hindus. The serpents are associated with many Gods in the Hindu mythology.

Naga (snake) Panchami is the 5th day of the Shravana month of the Hindu calendar. On this day sculpt images or idols of snakes are made and worshipped through the country. In South India figures of snakes are drawn with red sandalwood paste on wooden boards, clay images are made in yellow and black colour. Off late people buy Snake Gods made of silver, gold or Pancha Loha (combination of 5 metals prefer ed specially of worship).

Dakshina Kannada and Udupi district Celebrated Nagarapanchami with religious fervour on Monday, August 5th.

The Nagarapanchami ritual was conducted by Mohanadasa Paramahansa Swamiji at Manila Shri Dhama in the morning.

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.”

Nagarapanchami Thousands of 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.