YADGIR: The day of Naga Panchami (the fifth day of the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar) is known for devotees, especially women, worshipping idols of cobra snake or Naga. But the day sees a different kind of celebration in this small temple in Kandkoor village, about 15km from Yadgir district headquarters.
Here, thousands gather at the hilltop Kondammai temple on the day of Naga Panchami to worship the idol of a scorpion.
Another thing that makes this temple unique is that people not only worship the scorpion idol but also play with live scorpions here. People flock the temple only on the occasion of Naga Panchami.
On the day, one can see devotees, including children, pick up scorpions and play with them. Some even go to the extent of placing the creatures on their faces and inside their mouths. Interestingly, there have been very few cases of the scorpions stinging the people, according to the villagers.
Temple priest Babu Siddapur says this tradition of worshipping scorpions has been followed in Kandkoor for decades.
The day of Naga Panchami (the fifth day of the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar) is known for devotees, especially women, worshipping idols of cobra snake or Naga.