SNAKE WORSHIP AT INDIAN TEMPLE IN MELAKA, MALAYSIA

A king cobra snake was part of worship in a Hindu Temple at Sri Pratiyangaraa Devi Sakthi Beddam Temple located in Taman Ria, Kesang Pajak, Jasin, Melaka, Malaysia. The snake appeared calm during the entire performance during the hour long ritual. In the initial stages some TV stations claimed the incident took place in Tamil Nadu, India triggering confusion over the social media.

The surprised 57 year old S. Subramaniam who took this amateur video says he never anticipated the video to go viral. He says that he took the video using his smartphone to show it to his friends and relatives. He forwarded the video to a few friends and relatives and the rest was history. The video got attention from Indian TV News Suvarna News who was first to broadcast the news over the Prime TV News slot which was later followed by other TV channels in India.

 A Switzerland woman who saw the footage wanted to verify the authenticity of the footage by calling the temple management after tracking the source. The temple officials added that another TV station from Tokyo requested permission for coverage during the next prayers.

The temple priest, K.M. Thinageswar Sivaachaariyar clarified that the snake was specially brought in for prayers which was held on May. He further added that although poisonous, the snake would not be aggressive once the verses are chanted during the ritual. He however did not elaborate the significance of this practice.

  Arul Vakku Amma Sharmila Devi, wrote an article entitled, “Misconception on snake/sarpa pooja among Hindu devotees” after attending a consecration ceremony in the same temple. She explains that this ritual is called “Sarpa Puja”.  She adds, “The snake has always had an important role in Hindu worship ceremonies. The snake is worshipped in numerous forms such as Goddess Nagamma, Goddess Renuka Parameswary etc., and not uncommon to see a snake den in Hindu temple where devotees offer milk and sometimes egg.” Likewise, many deities in Hinduism are linked to serpent such as Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Ambal etc. “Hence, in short, holding a Sarpa-Pooja is a norm in Hindu rituals and is not a cause for alarm or to be misconstrued” otherwise in giving her point of view.

Well, using live snakes during Pooja in temples are not a norm and very rare in practice in Hindu temples most part of the world. Snakes adorned by deities represent symbolic meanings one of which are the “Kundalini” powers and simply put in layman’s terms, the powers that arise when man practices meditation.

CONTRIBUTION:

1.  http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2014/08/04/Amateur-video-of-cobra-in-temple-goes-viral/

2.  https://m.facebook.com/AmmaSharmilaDevi/photos/a.718702854823528.1073741874.624445214249293/718702881490192/?type=1&__tn__=E

3. Maruti Sanker