Naga Worship and Naga Godess of Sourashtra

Naga worship in sourashtra clan is common one.  Usually group of Naga idols worshipped and these idols are called " Nagaan " OR " Nagal ".

Naga Having both Male and Female forms.

The Female form is most popular.  Among Nagas Eight Naga are  important and these eight Naga names described in many Hindu religious texts.  The mula mantra of Naga is Puuh.  Below are Eight Naga Devi Mantra.

Om Puuh Anantamukhii Swaahaa

Om Puuh Karkodamukhii Swaahaa

Om Puuh Padminii Swaahaa (Padmavati)

Om KaalaJiihvaa Puuh Swaahaa

Om Mahaapadminii Swaahaa

Om Vaasukiimukhii Swaahaa

Om Hum Hum Puurvabhuupamukhii Swaahaa

Om Shankhni Vaayumukhii Hum Hum

Sourashtrian's Temples of Nag bai / Nagam bai / Nagalamma at Tamil Nadu

A famous Naga Godess worshipped by sourashtrians is called  "NAGA BAI " Devi.  Her rare painting is below.  The Word ' Bai ' literally means ' Women '  in Sourashtri language. 

A temple of Naga is situated at Salem Sourashtra Vipra Kula Nandavanam Near Renuka Temple under Peepal tree.   Many Naga idols found under peepal tree.  Usually a sampradaya found that, these Naga with Sapta Kanyas (Kannigal) OR Atma of childs who died in earlier ages are worshipped before marriage took place.  Another temple situated at Salem Ashok Nagar and maintained by ' urthunnu' clan.   Another Temple at Dindigul, Nagal Nagar. 

 

A famous surname also exist in her name in Salem district sourashtra families.   That was " KaLa naagaan " .  It means " Black Serpent "



Naga Bai

Amont Last generation of sourashtrian population of Salem (Tamil Nadu, India) wemen, having named as " Nagam bai "  " Nagalamma " , " Naga thai " and " Nagamma "  is common one.

 
The Gayathri Mantra of " Naga Bai "  is
 

Om Nagadevathaya Vidhmahe Jwala Malaya Dhimahi

Tanno Ananda Prachodayat

Prayer Mantra of Naga Bai is :

NAMASTE DEV DEVESHA,

 NAMASTE DHAARANI-DHARA

NAMASTE SARV NAGENDRA

NAMASTE PURUSHOTTAMA.

ANANTAM VASUKIM SHESHAM PADMANAABHAM CHA KAMBALAM SHANKHAPAALAM DHRITARASHTRAM TAKSHAKAM KAALIYAM TATHA, ETAANI NAV NAAMANI NAAGAANAM CHA MAHAATMANAM, PRATAH KAALE PATHE NITYAM SAAYAM KAALE VISHESHATAHA. TASYA VISH BHAYAM NAASTI SARVATRA VIJAYI BHAVET..

Festival of Naga Mata is NAGA PANCHAMI :

Naga Panchami is a Hindu festival celebrated by Hindus. It is celebrated on Panchami in Shravan month. On this day, they worship Nāga Devata (Cobras). People go to temples and snake pits and they worship the snakes. They offer milk and silver jewelry to the Cobras to protect them from all evils. They also fast. This festival is to celebrate the day Lord Krishna defeated the serpent Kalia. On this day swings are put up in the village and people enjoy themselves. The married girls visit their parents during this occasion.

In Hindu, snakes must be kept happy or the rains might fail. On Naga Panchami, people worship the holy reptile by sticking images on their doors and leaving bowls of rice and milk out for the serpents' delectation.

The snake is a potent force in Hindu, and greatly feared: the images on doorways are also there to keep the naga from entering the home. Failure to observe Naga Panchami may induce their wrath, resulting in an onset of general evil and, worse, the stopping of the monsoon, over which they have magical powers.

नागमाताको स्तुति :

आस्तीकस्य मुनेर्माता जगदानन्दकारिणी ।

एह्येहि मनसादेवि नागमातर्नमोsस्तु ते ॥