Nagula Chavithi - Festival for Snake God

Nagula Chavithi:

This festival is celebrated on the fourth day of kathika Masam after Deepavali. This is mainly a women’s festival. On this day women observe fasting and worship snake god and perform Naga Pooja. It is a ritual performed for children’s better health.

Cultural Beliefs:

There is a close relationship between snakes and the gods. Lord Shiva is known as Naga Bhushana, Lord Vishnu as Sesha Thalpa Sai, Lord Ganesh as Naga Yajnopaveetha and Lord Kumara Swamy as Naga Swarupa. Several gods have been associated with snakes.

The popular legend for Nagula Chavithi is that during the churning of the ocean by gods and demons in search of Amrutham,a snake was used as rope and in the process; a terrible poison (garalam) emerged. The poison would have affected the whole world, but for Lord Shiva, who swallowed it and retained it in his throat. His throat turned so Lord Shiva is also called “Neelakantha”. However, a few drops spilled and to ward off the evil effects, people worship the Cobra, the king of snakes, to pacify the brood and protect themselves from any ill effects.

How to perform Nagula chavithi:

On the day before to Nagula chavithi people have to take head bath, because if we do head bath on Nagula chavithi it is believed that we are giving dirt to god.We should get up early in the morning and take head bath without use of any kind of shampoo or shikai.

For Naivedyam prepare sesame laddu (Nuvvula vanda), vadapappu and chalimidi.

Sesame laddu (Nuvvula vanda): Mix sesame and jaggery in equal quantity and do laddus. Jiggery can be mixed as per their taste this is also called as chimmiri.

Vadapappu: Soak half cup of yellow moong dal in two cups of water for about an hour. Drain the water at pooja time.

Chalimidi: soak the rice grains in water for half an hour. drain the water and spread the rice on a clean cloth to air-dry for about 15 minutes. Take the semi dried rice and ground it to fine powder. For 1 cup rice add 1 cup of jaggery and mix well. 

• Devotees go to 'Naga Putta' (Snake pit) and offer naivedyam and perform puja there.
• Take Turmeric, kumkum, cow milk, crackers, coconut, banana, flowers, incense sticks(agarbathi) to the temple.
• Go to the Snake pit Decorate it with flowers and pour the cow milk Turmeric, kumkum, rice flour into the pit.
• Put the naivedhyam that is prepared Sesame Laddu, Vadapappu, and Chalimidi near the snake pit. Keep banana, tamboolam ,agarbathi and light a deepam.
• Do pradakshinas around the snake pit for 3 or 5 times .Apply soil that is near the snake pit to ears. Fire crackers for formality. 

Mantra:

Recite this mantra to makes yourself free from Sarpa bhayam and Sarpa dosham

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.

Interesting Facts:

Nagula Chavithi day is noted for offering milk and eggs to the snakes by devotees. Snakes don’t drink milk so this should not be encouraged as it leads to the death of snakes.

Nava Naga Stotram, a powerful mantra for Naga Devata is used to worship the nine Nagas of Hinduism. The names of the nagas are Ananta, Vasuki, Shesha, Padmanabh, Kambal, Shankhapal, Dhrutrashtra, Takshaka and Kalia. This powerful mantra can be chanted on Naga Panchami, Naga Chaturthi and Shasti days. If the mantra is prayed daily in the morning it will keep one protected from all evils and helps to become victorious in life. 

 

Nine Naga Devata Mantra:
Anantam Vasukim Shesham
Padmanabham cha Kambalam
Shankhapalam Dhartarashtram
Taxakam Kaliyam Tatha

Merits of Recital
Etani Nava Navaami Naganancha Mahatmana
Sayam Patenityam Prathahkaale Visheshita
Tasya Vishabhayam Naasti Sarvatra Vijayaa Bhaveth

Strange Facts:

• Our DNA structure will be in the form of a snake.
• The human sperm cells if seen in the microscopic resemble the shape of snake. Their movements will also be similar to snake.
• In the Sanathana Dharama, ”Naga Bhandam” symbolize the tradition of husband and wife. The couple should be accompanied in a steady way to achieve the betterment of the spiritual path is reminiscent of the nagabandham.
• By doing Nagaradhana, there will be no problems in ear and eye.

 

Scientific Reasons:

• As this is winter and cold season and snakes in the fields come out of their homes and eat rats which destroy the crops to give us more yields. Snakes in fresh water kill most of the micro organisms to give safe water for drinking. They are also responsible to make the soil fertile for the crops. So we need to show gratitude and feed them with milk on Nagula chavithi.
• The Snake represents the male generative organ people develop certain mental vibrations on seeing snakes. The human brain acts as the mind, and it in the form of the head of a snake. All the nerves in the body start from the brain, and pass through the neck into the vertebrae. This back bone resembles a snake. According to psychology, if this part of the body is stimulated, in order to promote fertility, through mental concentration, then the mind responds and engenders the necessary positive effect on the nervous system.
• As per astrology, the planet Rahu represents a snake and is also the deity for Rahu. The effects of Rahu result from the curse of a snake (SarpaDosha- an obstruction to fertility) and this can be rectified by worshiping snakes. Married couples, desirous of having children or those who already have children, should perform Nagula Chavithi