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Indian Hindus, like Maharashtrians and South Indians especially people from Karnataka, perform Naga Panchami Pooja four days after Aadi Amavasya (More here http://ajournalistreveals.com/aadi-amavasya/). In South India, during marriage, the bride gets a small silver snake as gift from her parents. It is said that if we pray to these snakes then Vastu Dosha, Kala Sarpa Dosha and any dosha connected to Rahu and Ketu in conjunction with the other planets are resolved.
During this pooja, rangolis of snakes in different designs are made. In Karnataka, we commonly draw a pair of snakes on the either side of the main door. First limestone paste should be applied to form a white rectangle of 5” to 14” on the sides of the door. The snakes should be drawn with turmeric powder mixed with rose water, ordinary water or water from the Ganges. We should perform panchopachara pooja (More here http://ajournalistreveals.com/aadi-amavasya/) to these snakes after sticking gaja vastra (cotton garland) on them. It is said that this resolves not only the doshas of the house in which it is done, but also of houses and people living 5-5 furlong around this house.
Inside home, we mix wheat flour and turmeric powder (in any proportion, the wheat flour should take on the yellow colour) and water, to make a large snake out of it. Keep this snake in the North West direction with the idols and photographs of God and perform panchopachara pooja (More here http://ajournalistreveals.com/aadi-amavasya/). During this festival, we have to use a lot of highly fragrant flowers.
On a plate place the little silver snake and pour first a little water, then a little milk and then again a little water on it. Then perform panchopachara pooja (More here http://ajournalistreveals.com/aadi-amavasya/) to it. Offer a lot of turmeric powder to it. Perform this pooja for 3 days. We collect the turmeric in a small container and daily apply a little from it on our forehead. It is believed that this wards off all negativity. We can offer all fruits, milk, jaggery, black til and even maa vilakku (More here http://ajournalistreveals.com/aadi-amavasya/) as naivedyam.
3 days later the udhyapana ritual has to be performed, where we keep the little silver snake in its original place and consign the snake made of flour to running water.
