Udupi: The ‘Ashtapavitra Shriman Nagamandalotsav’ was celebrated with deep religious fervour and grandeur on April 18 at the sacred Nagavana at Sairadha Township located along the Perampalli–Manipal road, drawing thousands of devotees from across the region.
The elaborate rituals were conducted under the guidance of Kakkunje Nagananda Vasudeva Acharya, ensuring adherence to traditional practices associated with the spiritually significant Nagamandala ceremony.
Rituals begin at dawn
The programme commenced in the early hours of the morning with a series of sacred rituals. Devotees witnessed ceremonies such as Devata Prarthane, Gopooja, Pradhan Prayashchitta Homa, Kalashabhisheka and Tanutambila Seva, performed in accordance with age-old customs.
Special pooja was offered to the presiding deity Panjurli, followed by Mahapooja and Nagadarshana. In the afternoon, rituals continued with Prasanna Pooja and Palla Pooja, adding to the spiritual significance of the event.
Massive Annasantarpane organised
A highlight of the event was the large-scale Annasantarpane (community meal), which began at noon and continued until midnight. More than 10,000 devotees partook in the prasadam, reflecting the scale and organisation of the event.
The arrangements were handled efficiently by a dedicated team comprising nearly 80 cooks, 140 servers and over 100 volunteers. Systems were put in place to manage seating, food distribution, hand-washing facilities and parking, ensuring a smooth experience for attendees.
Special transport arrangements were also made to ferry devotees from designated parking areas to the venue, minimising inconvenience and crowding.
Devotional music and cultural programmes
Adding to the spiritual atmosphere, a devotional music programme was held between 12 pm and 2 pm on the Nagamandala stage. The performance featured noted singers Madhuru Narayan Sarlaya and Kavya Seetharam.
They were accompanied by Sharmila Rao on violin, Muralidhar K on keyboard, Balachandra Bhagavath on mridangam and Madhava Acharya on tabla, creating a rich musical experience for the devotees.
Traditional Nagamandala ritual draws crowds
In the evening, following Rangapooja and the ritual offering of milk to the serpent deity Nagadevaru, the Nagamandala Utsav commenced.
The traditional ritual performance was led by Krishna Prasad Vaidya of Mooduru Vaidyanatheshwara Dhamaru Mela, along with Balakrishna Vaidya, Nataraja Vaidya and Chandrashekara Vaidya. Their performances, including Nagakannike and Dhamaru Seva, captivated the large gathering.
The stage, beautifully decorated with flowers and fruits, added to the visual appeal of the event, attracting thousands who gathered to witness the sacred ritual.
Cultural programmes further enriched the occasion, including a Nagaswara recital by Akshatha Sherigar Alevoor, enhancing the devotional ambience.
Participation of devotees and dignitaries
The event witnessed the participation of several prominent individuals and organisers, including Manohar S Shetty, Ravi S Shetty and Siddharth Shetty, along with their families.
A large number of devotees attended the festival, making it one of the significant religious gatherings in the region.
Conclusion
The Ashtapavitra Shriman Nagamandalotsav showcased the rich cultural and spiritual traditions of coastal Karnataka. With meticulous organisation, large-scale participation and adherence to ritualistic practices, the event reinforced the region’s deep-rooted religious heritage and community spirit.