Indian Antiquary Vol 44

SR No.: 032536
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Richard Carnac Temple, Devadatta Ramkrishna Bhandarkar
Publisher: Swati Publications
Publication Year: 1984
Total Pages: 424
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 405

FOLKLORE OF THE KONKAN
75
and worshipped by Hindu women o this day. The names of the snake deities are Durva grass, sacred to Ganpati, parched rice Takshaka, Vásuki and Shesha. Their shrines láhya, legumes kadadan, and milk are offered are at Kolhápur, Nágothane, Prayaga, to this image. Some people go to the snakes, Nágadeváchi Wádi and Subramhanya. A great abode Várul—an ant-hill-on this day to fair is held every year at Battisa Shirále on worship the stake itself, if they happen to the Nága panchami day.. catch sight of it.1
There is a shrine of a snake deity at It is said that at Battisa Shirále in the Sávantwádi. The management of the shrine Belgáum District the real Nága comes out of is in the hands of the State officials. It is its abode below the earth on this day, and is believed that a real snake resides therein." worshipped by the people. Milk and láhya, There is a shrine of a snake deity at Awás parched rice, are put outside the house at night in the Alibág taluka of the Kolába District, on this day with the intention that they may where a great fair is held every year on the be consumed by a snake. Hindus do not dig 14th day of the bright half of Kártik or plough the earth on Nága panchami day. (November ). It is said that persons sufEven vegetables are not cut and fried on this fering from snakebites recover when takra in day by some people.
time to this temple. Earthen images of snakes are worshipped It is said that a covetous person who by some people in the Konkan districts on the acquires great wealth during his life-time and Nága panchami day. The Nága is considered
dies without enjoying it, or without issue, to be a Brahman by caste, and it is believed
becomes a snake after death, and guards his that the family of the person who kills a
buried treasures. At Kolhapur there was a
Sárkár-money-lender-named Kodulkar snake becomes extinct. The cobra being con
who is said to have become a snake, and to sidered a Brahman, its dead body is adorned
guiri his treasures. In the village of with the jáname, and then burnt as that of a
Kailaya in the Panhála petha of the Kolhapur human being. A copper coin is also thrown
District there is a snake in the house of a into its funeral pile.3
Kulkarni, who scares away those who try to At certain villages in the Deccan a big enter the storehouse of the Kulkarni.? carthen image of a snake is consecrated in a It is a general belief among the Hindus public place on the Nága panchami day, and
that snakes guard treasures. It is said that
there are certain places guarded by snakes worshipped by Hindus in general, Women
in Goa territory. Persons who were compelled sing their songs in circles before this image
to abandon Portuguese territory owing to while men perform tamáshás by its side. In
religious persecutions at the hands of the fact, the day is enjoyed by the people | Portuguese buried their treasures beneath the as a holiday. The snake is removed next day, ground. Those who died during exile are said and an idol in the form of a man made of to have become bhuts or ghosts, and it is mud is seated in its place. This idol is called believed that they guard their buried treasures Shirálshet, who is said once to have been in the form of snakes. a king and to have ruled over this earth for
The Hindus generally believe that the snakes one and one-fourths of a ghataka, i. e., for who guard buried treasures do not allow any half an hour only. This day, is observed as one to go near them. The snake frightens a day of rejoicing by the people,
those who try to approach, but when he wishes * School Master, Mitbáv, Ratnagiri.
2 School Master, Kálshe, Ratnagiri. 3 School Master, Khopoli, Kolába.
+ Báo Báoeb Shelle, Kolhấpur. • School Master, Pendur, Ratnagiri.
School Master, Apte, Panwel, Kolába. 1 Ráo S45eb Shelle, Kolhấpur.
& School Master, Ubbádánda, Ratnagiri.