NAAGA PANCHAMI

RESPECTING THE SERPENTS..........................

26th july,2009,

3 p.m

Dear friends,

I was waiting for today.religiously an auspicious day,Naga Panchami.today was pambin kavil puja in our Naga temple too.on the same day,we offer one day's puja at Chemabalakulangara Devi Temple.our machil Bhagawathy is in this devi temple.preparations started days before for Naga pooja.and today is uthram,amma's star.since days nanda was running around arranging the pooja materials;i just can't imagine how she can do all these without any help.early morning nanda and amma with the helper drove down to Guruvayoour.our house is in a nearby village.like my little star, nanda drives so well.[i enjoy being with her when she is behind the steering wheel].after going to Devi Temple,praying and receiving prasadam they reached our house.it's so difficult when the house is closed for months and you have to open it and start right from cleaning.madhav and family also joined in the pooja.i satisfy myself with the detailed information from amma and nanda.these days it is very difficult to conduct these rituals.i'm so happy that amma could attend the poojas.you know friends,one friday years before when amma was sitting in sit out in the evening,one snake appeared near the steps;only then amma remembered,that evening amma had forgotten to light the lamp.we often see snakes and mongoose in our landed property.by evening,the cleaning will be done once again,and to lock our house and go back to trichur.i know,nanda,it's so tedious.you will be blessed and the peace prevails.pulluvan pattu was sung in hindu families these days.pulluvar perform nagakalm pattu pooja and we had conducted it in our Ayyappa Temple.that attracted many devotees.

after the Naag Pooja,it rained heavily.what a refreshing experience!i terribly missed the pooja and i can visulise what was happening.when the pooja goes on all of us chant the Naaga prayer written by Amma.

with thick trees,bountiful rains,muddy rivers,spectacular waterfalls,steep hills and the bridges connecting villages,it's an ideal place to live.but,i miss my home,the poojas,the rituals,my amma n my dear ones.i have taken a break from the hectic life style and i'm trying hard to relax and get rejuvenated. but we adjust lives in our second homes.but often,i live in a dreamworld,cherishing the childhood memories.each and every happening take life infront of me.

Naaga Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Shravan month.the festival is celebrated all over the country.it is one of the most important Hindu festivals celebrated on the fifth day of the first fortnight of the month of Shravan.mud idols of the snakes are worshipped on this auspicious day with offerings of leaves of Bel,Durva and Tulsi,Milk and puffed corn;before sunset, the same day the Naga idol is immersed.the festival dates back in time right to the pre-vedic period.idols of snakes were found at Mohenjodaro.the snake around Lord Shiva's neck and the seven-headed serpent that Lord Vishnu rests on are just two references to snakes in the Indian culture.Snakes which are usually feared,are also worshipped.fear of death through snakebite,especially during the rainy season could be a reason behind the origin of Naag Pooja.whatsover the reason,this day calls for their worship and no snake is to be harmed this day.and here,we have a wooden statue of a serpent,in our home.the carpenter has carved the shape so,well.

Ladies keep fasting the previous day.and early morning of Nag Panchami,they offer pooja,milk,flowers and layo to Nagas to protect their brothers by saying,''Dudh,layo chakh......Bhavak majya rakh....''[consume the milk and layo-puffed rice-and protect my brother]''.one of the highlights of the day is the preparation of the traditional sweet,'patolleo''.this is so delicious.a paste of rice flour is spread on a turmeric leaf,a mixture of coconut and jaggery is added to it and it is then steamed to perfection.this is our ada,what we prepare in vazhayila[plantain leaf].but today morning ,i tasted pateolleo the prasad from SHREE AYYAPPA T EMPLE.''wow''.what a unique smell of manjal ila[turmeric leaf]!you must give it a try.for the last so many days,i was seeing vegetable sellers selling bunches of turmeric leaves-Rs.10/ for twenty five leaves.

One particular belief is that snakes drink milk.this has led to the offering of milk to snakes on Naag Panchami.it's not right to offer milk to snakes as their system doesn't digest it well and it could even kill them.

Since ancient times,snakes have been protecting crops from rats and other pests.this festival signifies the gratitude of people towards snakes.snakes do have a role to play in the ecosystem.they have a right to life just as much as we do.just as we respect and worship them on Naag Panchami we should ideally do so throughout the year.Naag Panchami is an eco festival.Buddhists and Jains also perform thepooja.Even in countries like China and Japan people believe in the Snake God.people should realise the importance of snakes in nature and not kill them mercilessly.let's educate people on how to protect snakes.

Friends,please be the part and parcel of each and every festival of your state and the state where you live.i must tell you,it's amazing,exploring the roots,the stories behind each festival.and i love to interview local people to know their views and ways of celebrations.and this time i was interviewing mangala ,the local resident.i felt so nice when she invited me to her house.

It's anu signing off..................................

friends,i must express my sincere thanks and love to my friends abroad who were with me till this moment and their presence made a real difference.

anu wants to take a short break from mails,posts,chats and phone calls and i hope no questions will be asked.getting to know one's own soul and to be with one self is the need of the hour as the burning heart needs loneliness.

let's love the rain,the birds,the animals,the river,the sea and the universe.anu loves you all.

and today's dedication is my amma's favourite song-anu also loves this song.....................and for the next days,anu will be with her Kannan................

Ambhalapuzhe unnikannanodu nee

Enthu paribhavam melleyothi vannuvo?

Kalvilakkukal pathi minni nilkkave...................

Enthu nalkuvan enee kaathu ninnu nee..................[please enjoy the song praising UNNIKANNAN by watching the video given above].

wishing all of you friends, a beautiful evening...............................and i will get back to you after my short break............................

sasneham,

anu