<p class="title">Temples dedicated to the Serpent God, generally teeming with devotees due to Nagara Panchami celebrations, wore a deserted look due to the Covid crisis on Saturday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The district administration had banned the entry of devotees to the temples to prevent the gathering of a large number of people.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Nagara Panchami was observed in temples by the priests and staff without the devotees in attendance offering pujas.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kukke Shree Subramanya Temple, Kudupu Shree Anantha Padmanabha Temple and Anantha Padmanabha Temple at Manjeshwara are some of the popular temples dedicated to the Serpent God.</p>.<p class="bodytext">With the temples shutting doors, many devotees were seen offering tender coconuts, pingara flowers and fruits outside the temple and returning back to their homes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">At Sharavu temple, the main gate remained closed. Devotees were seen offering prayers outside the gate with folded hands. This was a common scene in temples across the district.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Many Naga Banas (sacred groves) in different parts of the district too did not witness puja rituals due to the restrictions imposed by the district administration.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Some people offered puja rituals to the Naga Banas situated in the backyard of their houses or in their ancestral houses.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The sale of tender coconuts and flowers was also dull in the market due to the restrictions imposed in the district. A few devotees had offered tender coconuts to the deity on Friday. </p>.<p class="bodytext">From many years, a large number of flower vendors from Hassan, Bengaluru and Mysuru land at Mangaluru to sell flowers on the day prior to Nagara Panchami. This year, only a few sellers were found beside the road. Due to the Covid pandemic, the demand for ‘Nagana Kallu’ was also less. </p>.<p><strong>Traditional dish</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">‘Arasina Ele Gatti’ (sweets made in turmeric leaf) is an integral part of the festival. It is a traditional dish prepared in all households. Only these leaves made a brisk business in markets and were sold for Rs 30 for a bunch.</p>.<p><strong>Corona in prayer</strong></p>.<p>Priests who offered pujas to the Naga Banas in the backyard, as part of Nagara Panchami celebrations, ended with a prayer to make Mangaluru and the entire region free from Coronavirus.</p>
<p class="title">Temples dedicated to the Serpent God, generally teeming with devotees due to Nagara Panchami celebrations, wore a deserted look due to the Covid crisis on Saturday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The district administration had banned the entry of devotees to the temples to prevent the gathering of a large number of people.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Nagara Panchami was observed in temples by the priests and staff without the devotees in attendance offering pujas.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Kukke Shree Subramanya Temple, Kudupu Shree Anantha Padmanabha Temple and Anantha Padmanabha Temple at Manjeshwara are some of the popular temples dedicated to the Serpent God.</p>.<p class="bodytext">With the temples shutting doors, many devotees were seen offering tender coconuts, pingara flowers and fruits outside the temple and returning back to their homes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">At Sharavu temple, the main gate remained closed. Devotees were seen offering prayers outside the gate with folded hands. This was a common scene in temples across the district.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Many Naga Banas (sacred groves) in different parts of the district too did not witness puja rituals due to the restrictions imposed by the district administration.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Some people offered puja rituals to the Naga Banas situated in the backyard of their houses or in their ancestral houses.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The sale of tender coconuts and flowers was also dull in the market due to the restrictions imposed in the district. A few devotees had offered tender coconuts to the deity on Friday. </p>.<p class="bodytext">From many years, a large number of flower vendors from Hassan, Bengaluru and Mysuru land at Mangaluru to sell flowers on the day prior to Nagara Panchami. This year, only a few sellers were found beside the road. Due to the Covid pandemic, the demand for ‘Nagana Kallu’ was also less. </p>.<p><strong>Traditional dish</strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">‘Arasina Ele Gatti’ (sweets made in turmeric leaf) is an integral part of the festival. It is a traditional dish prepared in all households. Only these leaves made a brisk business in markets and were sold for Rs 30 for a bunch.</p>.<p><strong>Corona in prayer</strong></p>.<p>Priests who offered pujas to the Naga Banas in the backyard, as part of Nagara Panchami celebrations, ended with a prayer to make Mangaluru and the entire region free from Coronavirus.</p>