Nagamandala

Nagamandala, an elaborate form of serpent worship, is unique to Tulu Nadu (Coastal Karnataka). There is a distinct form of dance associated with it that is akin to yakshagana. Conducted in an extravagant manner throughout the night. Nagamandala is performed during the months (December to April), before the monsoon.

There are two groups of performers in Nagamandala – the first being ‘Paatri’ (a Brahmin) who after inhaling the areca flowers gets possessed by the cobra God, and the second group is known as ‘Naagakannika’ identified as ‘Ardhanari’ who dances and sings around an elaborate serpent design drawn with natural colors on the sacred ground.

The ‘Vaidya’ community group draws the designs (a circle of snakes) on the sacred ground using five different colors. The five colors are white (white mud), red (mix of lime powder and turmeric powder), green (‘jangama soppu’ green leaves powder), yellow (turmeric powder) and black (roasted and powdered paddy husk). The combination of these five colors is called as ‘panchavarnahudi’ in the local dialect.