Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SB)

Bantwal, Feb 23: Scores of devotees took part in 'Nagamandala', a religious and traditional offering to God 'Naga' held at Manila Shree Dhama temple here on Wednesday, February 21

The religious rituals connected with the Nagamandala were held on a grand scale at night, under the guidance and participation of Nagapatri, Vedamurty Kakkunje Nagananda Vasudev Acharya, and Krishnaprasad Vaidya Muddoor.

Mohandas Paramahamsa Swamiji of Manila Shree Dhama Temple was the advisor of the rituals of performed over a stretch of twenty-four hours.

The official worship began in the early morning with puja offered to Naga. In the afternoon, devotees carried flowers, fruits and worshiping items to the offering place in a procession from Naga temple.

As part of the festivities, cultural and musical programmes were held at the temple.

Nagamandala is one of the 'Naga aradhana prakaras' (forms of serpent worship) found in coastal Karnataka and Kerala.