Devotees Handle Live Scorpions at Kondammadevi Fair in Kandakura on Nagar Panchami

Devotees gathered at the Kondammadevi fair in Kandakura village, located in Gurmitkal taluk of Yadgir district, on Monday to take part in an annual Nagar Panchami ritual involving live scorpions.

Participants climbed the hillock beside the Kondamma Devi temple, lifted rocks to uncover scorpions, and allowed the creatures to crawl across their palms, arms, and faces. Some devotees placed the scorpions directly on their chins and tongues as an expression of faith.

While Nagar Panchami is traditionally associated across the state with worshipping snakes, anthills, and serpent idols, the village of Kandakura follows a distinct tradition centered on scorpions. Local residents believe the scorpions emerge from beneath the rocks under the divine protection of the goddess Kondemmai Ayi.

Devotees of all ages, including women, children, and the elderly, participated in handling the arachnids. Believers hold that approaching the goddess with devotion protects them from harm, and that applying the deity's sacred ash, known as Bhandara, alongside prayers relieves pain if a sting occurs. Families also offered milk during the ritual, based on local beliefs that omitting the offering could draw scorpions into their homes later in the year.

The tradition has expanded beyond the village over time, attracting visitors from across Yadgir district as well as neighboring Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Channamma Gadad, a local participant who has taken part in the ritual since childhood, noted that crowds have grown significantly from earlier years when only a small number of people climbed the hillock.

To address safety concerns during the gathering, local authorities set up a special medical camp near the site. Health officials stated that no serious injuries or incidents were reported during the event. Emergency medical support, including an ambulance and facilities at the Kandakura primary health centre, was stationed on standby.