Puranic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Puranic Literature c9.1429
Purāṇic Encyclopaedia: A Comprehensive Dictionary with Special Reference to the Epic and Purāṇic Literature c9.1429
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c9.1429
SARPABALI. An offering made by Hindus in South India to propitiate serpents. Serpents are pleased by songs by Pulluvan and Pulluvatti (Male and female members of a Hindu sub-caste). To draw Kalams (drawings on floor conveying certain esoteric meanings), to make offerings and for the Pulluvars to sing—these form important elements of Sarpabali. The bali has a connection with the story of Khāṇḍavadāha. The legend behind the bali is that a Pulluva woman saved Takṣaka, who escaped to the ocean after the Khāṇḍava forest was burnt down. Songs by Pulluvan and Pulluvatti are unavoidable items in Sarpabali.