Nagula Chavithi – The Significance and How is it Celebrated?

Nagula Chavithi is the day to worship the Naga and the deity of snakes. It falls in the month of Kartik on the fourth day after Amavasya. Married women observe this day and pray for their children's well-being.

 

Women also observe fast on this day as it is believed that fasting on this day keeps one's family members protected. Devotees offer milk and dry fruits to the deity of snakes, and they put efforts to save the home of snakes. The event is more signifying in the southern states of India, Andhra Pradesh, and Bangalore .

 

The Legend

 

As the legend says, all the Gods-like were used to be mortals like human. They had to live and die, following the birth and death cycle. However, they wanted to be immortal like Gods, and hence they all went to ocean churning, also known as Samundra Manthan.

 

It is said that during the Manthan, many good things came to the surface. Goddess Laxmi also rose to the surface during the churning. All Gods-like obtained the Amrit or the potion that makes a person immortal. However, as a snake was used as a rope to bring things to the surface, its poison emerged in the water that no one wanted.

 

At this time, Lord Shiva was the only one who came forward and accepted the poison. He kept it in his throat that his throat turned green, and hence he was also called "Neelakantha." However, some parts of the poison split on earth, and as a result, to diminish the effects of this poison, people serve snake deities and snakes as Nagula Chavithi.

 

People worship all gods related to snakes, such as Lord Shiva, also known as Naga Bhushan. Lord Vishnu, Lord Ganesha, Lord Kumara Swamy, who himself is Naga Swarupa.

 

Rituals Performed on the Day

 

Devotees wake up early in the morning, and they take a head bath. After wearing clean clothes, they invoke the Naga Devata by installing his idol. People also visit the temples where the Nagula Chavithi Puja is performed. They offer prayers to the Naga Devata; in temples, prasad is also prepared, such as Sesame Laddu (Nuvvula vanda), Vadapappu, and Chalimidi.

 

Some devotees also go to snake burrows where snakes live, and offer them milk. They worship the burrow using flowers, Turmeric, Kumkum, and they offer banana, Tamboolam, and rice flour. They circle around the snake pit 3 or 5 times, and then they take some soil from the pit and apply it on their ears.

 

In some places, people keep the idols of snakes under Banyan trees; that is how the day is celebrated differently in different regions. However, the motive is always about worshipping the deity of snakes and seek his sanctification.

 

NagulaChavithi Puja Mantra

 

At the beginning of Nag Puja

 

AnanthamVasukimSeshamPadmanabham Cha Kambalam;

ShankhaphalamDhartharashtramThakshakamKaliyamThatha.

Ethani Nava NamaniNaganaam Cha Mahatmanam;

SayamkalePathennityamPratah Kale Viseshatha;

ThasmaiVishabhayamNaasthiSarvatraVijayeeBhaveth.

 

During Nag Puja

 

SarvaNaagamPreeyatham May Ye KechithPruthwithale;

Ye Cha HelimarichisthaYenarthe Divi Samsthitha.

Ye NadeeshuMahanaaga Ye SaraswatiGaamina;

Ye Cha VaapeeThadaageshuTheshuSarveshuVaiNamah.

 

Nag Gayatri Mantra

 

Om NagakulayaVidmaheVishadantayaDheemahiThannoSarpaPrachodayath.

 

Significance of Nagula Chavithi

 

It is believed that those who celebrate Nagula Chavithi with proper rituals receive the blessings of Naga Devata, which keeps their family safe against any evil eye.

 

Nagula Chavithi is also a day to show gratitude toward the snakes and their deities. Snakes come out in the fields in winters and eat rats, which otherwise would destroy the crops. Also, snakes in water kill micro-organisms, which makes it more suitable for farming and yielding nice grains.

 

The snake also signifies Rahu, the shadow planet in astrology. Worshipping snakes and the related deities tend to minimize the ill effects of Rahu, and hence individuals enjoy a more peaceful life. Couples who are childless or have children should perform this Puja to get the marital life blessed.

 

This year the Puja will happen on 18th November; devotees may visit any nearby Naga temple or perform the Puja at home if current circumstances do not allow.