Nagula Chavithi is a day observed by the Hindus to worship Naga Devata or the snakes. These people also worship the Lord of snakes, Vishnu, and Shiva. Every year the day arrives on the fourth day of Amavasya in the month of Karthik or July and August.
The day is observed by married women as they observe fasting on this day. It is believed that doing so ensures the well-being of their family and children. Women observe this fast while following rules and regulations, such as being empty-stomach and only drinking water. Some women also eat only fast-friendly foods and avoid any kind of non-vegetarian stuff and grains
Women and men all go to temples and worship the Lord of snakes. They offer the deity milk and fruits. Some people also go to snake pits and offer milk to snakes. In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, it is a major festival celebrated on a high level.
Legends
Many stories are related to this day as there are many Gods related to snakes, such as Vishnu and Shiva. Lord Ganesha, Kumara Swamy, and Sri Krishna are also related to snakes.
Such a legend takes us to the time when the ocean churning for the nectar was happening. All Gods were there at the ocean, and a snake named Vasuki was used as a rope. The snake brought everything to the surface he found in the ocean. In the process, his poison started emerging in the water and affecting the world.
Then Lord Shiva came forward and held all the poison in his neck, which turned his neck blue. For the same reason, he was named “Neelakantha.” However, a few dropped spilled on the Earth; people of Earth hence started worshipping snakes on that day to ward off the evil effects of the poison.
Another legend is about Lord Krishna, who defeated the snake Kaliya. Lord Vishnu’s Garuda, the mount of Lord Vishnu, defeated Kaliya to destroy his pride. As a result, Kaliya started living at the bottom of Yamuna. However, he was making the water poisonous, due to which all the people of Gokul feared entering that part of the water.
When once Lord Krishna reached that part of the water while playing, Kaliya tried to drag Krishna to the bottom of the water. He tried to dig his fangs in Krishna’s skin. However, with his Supreme power, Krishna dragged Kaliya out on the surface and danced over his head while playing his flute. Kaliya was spilling blood and dying, on which his wives requested Krishna not to kill him. It was the moment Kaliya understood that Krishna was not a simple child but the avatar of Lord Vishnu himself. Kaliya asked for forgiveness and went on from there, leaving the Yamuna.
Rituals on the Day
Taking a head bath is the ritual before Nagula Chavithi starts. People also worship the Naga devata in their homes. For this, they bring a statue or idol of the Naga and prepare it for worship. Some people believe in offering milk in front of the snake pits to serve the snakes. They also offer other things and perform Pooja at the burrow. Then then, perform circles around the pit and pray to the snakes.
Significance of Nagula Chavithi
There are many reasons for which Nagula Chavithi is celebrated. However, there are practical reasons too for which snakes are worshipped. For example, snakes in the winter months come out of their pits and eat rats that destroy the field. In the freshwater, snakes kill micro-organisms. They are essential for improving the soil quality in the fields.
In astrology too, snakes are important since a snake represents Rahu, the invisible planet of Vedic astrology. By worshipping snakes, people improve their Rahu, which gives them beneficial results and brings huge success in life.
