Nag Panchami which was celebrated on Saturday, has always been special for Goans. Families would participate in the festivities together, while also relishing tasty delicacies like
patoleos. But due to the ongoing pandemic, Nag
Panchami was a quiet affair this year. “We didn’t have cousins come over for celebrations and the excitement was not as much as other years.
Usually, with our extended family visiting, we would have a variety of dishes, but this year the menu was small. My folks prepared
Varan Bath, Masale Bath, Patoleos and
Moogachi Ghati,” says actor Salil Naik from Panaji.

Actor Salil Naik celebrating Nag Panchami
Manisha Desai from Margao couldn't visit her family in Vasco due to the scare of the pandemic. "Due to the increasing cases in Vasco, I decided not to visit home. It was special for me because I got married in November 2019 and this is my first after marriage. But the good thing is that I celebrated with my new family."
Devotees also visited the shrine dedicated to the snake deity in Taleigao where they offered prayers.