Nagula Chavithi or Naga Chaturthi is an auspicious day to observe Naga Puja. Nagula Chavithi is observed on the fourth day (Chaturthi) after Deepavali Amavasya during Karthika masam. Nag Panchami and Nagasashti are observed after Naga Chaturthi. In some parts of Andhra Pradesh it is also celebrated in the month of Sravana masam. This day is dedicated to worshipping snakes praying for the welfare of the family and to ward off the malefic effects due to the afflicted position of Rahu and Ketu.
Nagula Chavithi, a festival to worship Nag Devatas (Serpent Gods), is mainly a women festival. Nagula Chavithi is observed by married women for their well being of their children. During the Chavithi festival, women keep fast and observe Naga Puja. Devotees offer milk and dry fruits to Sarpa Devata at the Valmeekam or Putta (snake pits). On Nag Chaturthi day, Ashtanag (eight hooded cobra) is worshipped.
Nagula Chavithi in Kartika masam is a major festival in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka. The rituals and puja procedures are different from place to place. Some people place Naga devatha idol at home and perform puja. But in some places, devotees go to 'Putta' (Snake pit) and offer naivedyam and perform other pujas there
The popular legend associated with Nagula Chavithi in Telugu Hindu culture suggests that on the day Lord Shiva drank the poison Halahala or Kalkuta to save the universe during the famous incident of Samudra Manthan.
Pujas and prayers are held in Naga temples across the state.
Nowadays, Nagula Chavithi day is noted for the practice of offering milk and eggs to the snakes, especially cobras near snake pits. Snake charmers also bring cobras to villages and towns which are fed with milk by devotees.
Worship of Nagas is a constant reminder to humans to live in harmony with Nature. And the ideal way to worship Nagas is by protecting the forests and grooves that are home of snakes and other animals.
Snakes are considered holy in the Hindu tradition. They are worshipped as a symbol of spiritual energy in humans. All gods in Hinduism are depicted to have snakes with them. For instance, we find Vishnu reclining in snake bed, Shiva wearing snakes as ornaments, Ganesha wearing snake as sacred thread, and Kartikeya having a snake with him. In Devi temples, snakes are considered as the very form of Mother Durga. It is an age old belief that snakes help in agriculture by devouring the rats and pests that destroy crops. On Nagula Chaviti, the central highlight is to do puja to the snakes.
The women of every household make a few special dishes that are simple and do not involve using the oven. The first one is Nuvvula Vanda (Telugu) or sesame seeds sweet. This is made by mixing equal portions of sesame seeds and jaggery and making balls. The second one is vada pappu (Telugu) make by soaking the yellow moong dal in water for an hour and draining the water. The third one is Chalimidi. To make this, rice is soaked in water for some time and drained. Then it is ground into fine powder and jaggery is mixed with it along with a little water. Then the mixture is made into balls.
NAGULA CHAVITI PUJA VIDHI
In the morning, prior to the beginning of Nagula Chavithi puja, recite this mantra as
many times as possible:
Anantham Vasukim Sesham Padmanabham Cha Kambalam
Shankhaphalam Dhartharashtram Thakshakam Kaliyam Thatha
Ethani Nava Namani Naganaam Cha Mahatmanam
Sayamkale Pathennityam Pratah Kale Viseshatha Thasmai Vishabhayam Naasthi
Sarvatra Vijayee Bhaveth
After chanting this mantra, perform Sankalpam for Vratha, Upavas and Puja. Offer bath to the Serpent God (Nagadevta idol) and offer milk to the God as Naivedya. It is performed either in Naga devta temple or at home. After Ksheerabhisheka perform Jalabhisheka (bath with water). Offer
Shodashopachar puja with gandha (chandan), flowers, dhupa, deepa, naivedya, etc.
1. Usually the Nagula Chaviti puja is done in temples where snake god idols are installed and ant hills are present. Usually this is a community puja jointly done by many women in the region.
2. In the morning the women folk take bath, prepare the dishes mentioned and move to the temple carrying the puja materials.
3. In the temples, a holy bath is given to the snake god idols and decorated with turmeric paste, sandal paste and vermilion. Flowers and garlands are offered to the deities and then the ladies move to the ant hills where snakes are believed to live.
4. The puja is repeated to the ant hills and a little portion of the dishes made in the morning are offered in the snake hill. Women also tie threads around the snake hill and decorate it with turmeric paste, vermilion and flowers. Arati is performed and prayers are done.
5. A little soil from the ant hill is collected and brought home to be placed near the entrance door as a mark of inviting the blessings of the snake gods.
6. Many women fast for the whole day and conclude the fast only in the evening after sunset and lighting lamps in the house front and in the altar.
It is believed that any Puja offered to snakes would reach to the serpent Gods. Hence people worship live snakes on the day as representative of serpents Gods who are revered and worshipped in Hinduism. Although there are several serpent Gods, following twelve are worshipped during Nagula Chavithi Puja -
Ananta
Vasuki
Shesha
Padma
Kambala
Karkotaka
Ashvatara
Dhritarashtra
Shankhapala
Kaliya
Takshaka
Pingala
These mantras are chanted for Nagula Chavithi as many times as possible throughout the day.
“Om Naga Kulaya Vidmahe Visha Dhantaya Dhimahi Tanno Sarpa Prachodayaat”
“Sarpapasarpa bhadranthe dooram gachcha mahavisha
Janamejaya yaganthe asthika vachanam smara
Ananthaya namasthubhyam sahasra shirasthe namaha
Namosthu padmanabhaya nagaanaam pathaye namaha
Anantho vasukim sheshah takshakah kaliyasthadah”
Nagula Chavithi is observed to show gratitude towards serpents. According to astrology, the planet Rahu represents a snake. The effects of Rahu result from the curse of a snake which can be rectified by worshiping snakes. Childless couples or those who already have children should perform Nagula Chavithi.
Nagula Chavithi, a festival to worship Nag Devatas (Serpent Gods), is mainly a women festival. Nagula Chavithi is observed by married women for their well being of their children. During the Chavithi festival, women keep fast and observe Naga Puja. Devotees offer milk and dry fruits to Sarpa Devata at the Valmeekam or Putta (snake pits). On Nag Chaturthi day, Ashtanag (eight hooded cobra) is worshipped.
Nagula Chavithi in Kartika masam is a major festival in Andhra Pradesh and some parts of Karnataka. The rituals and puja procedures are different from place to place. Some people place Naga devatha idol at home and perform puja. But in some places, devotees go to 'Putta' (Snake pit) and offer naivedyam and perform other pujas there
The popular legend associated with Nagula Chavithi in Telugu Hindu culture suggests that on the day Lord Shiva drank the poison Halahala or Kalkuta to save the universe during the famous incident of Samudra Manthan.
Pujas and prayers are held in Naga temples across the state.
Nowadays, Nagula Chavithi day is noted for the practice of offering milk and eggs to the snakes, especially cobras near snake pits. Snake charmers also bring cobras to villages and towns which are fed with milk by devotees.
Worship of Nagas is a constant reminder to humans to live in harmony with Nature. And the ideal way to worship Nagas is by protecting the forests and grooves that are home of snakes and other animals.
Snakes are considered holy in the Hindu tradition. They are worshipped as a symbol of spiritual energy in humans. All gods in Hinduism are depicted to have snakes with them. For instance, we find Vishnu reclining in snake bed, Shiva wearing snakes as ornaments, Ganesha wearing snake as sacred thread, and Kartikeya having a snake with him. In Devi temples, snakes are considered as the very form of Mother Durga. It is an age old belief that snakes help in agriculture by devouring the rats and pests that destroy crops. On Nagula Chaviti, the central highlight is to do puja to the snakes.
The women of every household make a few special dishes that are simple and do not involve using the oven. The first one is Nuvvula Vanda (Telugu) or sesame seeds sweet. This is made by mixing equal portions of sesame seeds and jaggery and making balls. The second one is vada pappu (Telugu) make by soaking the yellow moong dal in water for an hour and draining the water. The third one is Chalimidi. To make this, rice is soaked in water for some time and drained. Then it is ground into fine powder and jaggery is mixed with it along with a little water. Then the mixture is made into balls.
NAGULA CHAVITI PUJA VIDHI
In the morning, prior to the beginning of Nagula Chavithi puja, recite this mantra as
many times as possible:
Anantham Vasukim Sesham Padmanabham Cha Kambalam
Shankhaphalam Dhartharashtram Thakshakam Kaliyam Thatha
Ethani Nava Namani Naganaam Cha Mahatmanam
Sayamkale Pathennityam Pratah Kale Viseshatha Thasmai Vishabhayam Naasthi
Sarvatra Vijayee Bhaveth
After chanting this mantra, perform Sankalpam for Vratha, Upavas and Puja. Offer bath to the Serpent God (Nagadevta idol) and offer milk to the God as Naivedya. It is performed either in Naga devta temple or at home. After Ksheerabhisheka perform Jalabhisheka (bath with water). Offer
Shodashopachar puja with gandha (chandan), flowers, dhupa, deepa, naivedya, etc.
Now, chant the below mantra..
Sarva Naagam Preeyatham May Ye Kechith Pruthwithale
Ye Cha Helimarichistha Yenarthe Divi Samsthitha
Ye Nadeeshu Mahanaaga Ye Saraswati Gaamina
Ye Cha Vaapee Thadaageshu Theshu Sarveshu Vai Namah
Now, chant Naga Gayatri Mantram for as many times as possible
Om Nagakulaya Vidmahe Vishadantaya Dheemahi Thanno Sarpa
Prachodayath
Now chant Sarpa Suktam.Then, read Nagula Chavithi Vrat katha or the story associated with Nagula Chavithi vrat.
2. In the morning the women folk take bath, prepare the dishes mentioned and move to the temple carrying the puja materials.
3. In the temples, a holy bath is given to the snake god idols and decorated with turmeric paste, sandal paste and vermilion. Flowers and garlands are offered to the deities and then the ladies move to the ant hills where snakes are believed to live.
4. The puja is repeated to the ant hills and a little portion of the dishes made in the morning are offered in the snake hill. Women also tie threads around the snake hill and decorate it with turmeric paste, vermilion and flowers. Arati is performed and prayers are done.
5. A little soil from the ant hill is collected and brought home to be placed near the entrance door as a mark of inviting the blessings of the snake gods.
6. Many women fast for the whole day and conclude the fast only in the evening after sunset and lighting lamps in the house front and in the altar.
It is believed that any Puja offered to snakes would reach to the serpent Gods. Hence people worship live snakes on the day as representative of serpents Gods who are revered and worshipped in Hinduism. Although there are several serpent Gods, following twelve are worshipped during Nagula Chavithi Puja -
Ananta
Vasuki
Shesha
Padma
Kambala
Karkotaka
Ashvatara
Dhritarashtra
Shankhapala
Kaliya
Takshaka
Pingala
These mantras are chanted for Nagula Chavithi as many times as possible throughout the day.
“Om Naga Kulaya Vidmahe Visha Dhantaya Dhimahi Tanno Sarpa Prachodayaat”
“Sarpapasarpa bhadranthe dooram gachcha mahavisha
Janamejaya yaganthe asthika vachanam smara
Ananthaya namasthubhyam sahasra shirasthe namaha
Namosthu padmanabhaya nagaanaam pathaye namaha
Anantho vasukim sheshah takshakah kaliyasthadah”
Nagula Chavithi is observed to show gratitude towards serpents. According to astrology, the planet Rahu represents a snake. The effects of Rahu result from the curse of a snake which can be rectified by worshiping snakes. Childless couples or those who already have children should perform Nagula Chavithi.
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