Nagara Panchami celebrated in Coastal Karnataka with great devotion

Nagara Panchami celebrated in Coastal Karnataka with great devotion

mangaloretoday.com

Mangaluru, July 29, 2025: Naaga Panchami is celebrated with deep devotion and enthusiasm across coastal Karnataka. The region is home to numerous Naagabanas or Naagasthanas—sacred groves or shrines—where stone slabs bearing snake carvings are specially worshipped on this auspicious day. 

Devotees begin arriving at these sites from early morning, bringing offerings such as rice, milk, coconuts, tender coconuts, bananas, turmeric powder (haldi), and flowers. At each shrine, priests carefully arrange the offerings, cut open the tender coconuts, and pour coconut water and milk over the stone images of snakes. A portion of the offerings is then returned to the devotees as prasad (blessed food).

Naaga Panchami, also known as the Festival of Snakes, is a unique tradition dedicated to honoring the Serpent Deity (Naaga Devta). Celebrated on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Shravan (July/August), this year the festival falls on August 4. On this day, the cobra and other snakes are revered and symbolically worshipped across various regions of India.

The worship of snakes predates the Aryan era and was widely practiced in ancient India. Over time, the Aryans assimilated serpent worship into Hindu beliefs. Hindu mythology is rich with stories and symbolism involving snakes. For instance, Lord Vishnu rests upon Ananta (or Sesha), the thousand-headed serpent believed to support the earth. Lord Shiva wears a serpent as an ornament, and Lord Krishna is famously known as Kaliya Mardan, in remembrance of his triumph over the fearsome serpent Kaliya.

One popular legend tells of a farmer who, while tilling his land, accidentally killed some young serpents. In revenge, the mother serpent bit all members of his family—except his daughter, who was a devoted snake worshipper. Her sincere prayers restored her family to life. As a result, it is customary to avoid tilling land on Naaga Panchami.

Another well-known tale involves young Krishna playing by the Yamuna River with his friends. When their ball got stuck in a tree, Krishna climbed up to retrieve it but fell into the river below—home to the dreaded serpent Kaliya. The angry serpent rose from the water, only for Krishna to subdue him by dancing on his multiple heads. Eventually, Kaliya surrendered, and Krishna forgave him. This victory is also celebrated on Naaga Panchami.

The festival reflects not just reverence for serpents but also humanity’s deep-rooted awe and fear of these mysterious creatures—transforming fear into respect through devotion and ritual.