Festivals In India - Nagula Chavithi

Friday, August 09, 2013

          


Nagula Chavithi is a most auspicious day to worship Naga Devathas (Snakes). I grew up in a house where all the festivals were and still are celebrated religiously with bhakthi. I try to recreate those same traditional environment here at my place in USA. Well, each festival has its own set of pooja procedures. These pooja traditions that I follow are from my birthplace, Andhra Pradesh in India.  You all are most welcome to share your thoughts and ideas on my blog.
All About Nagula Chavithi:

      Nagula Chavithi is a festival where all the serpants are worshipped with great devotion. Nagula Chavithi festival is celebrated during the months of  "Shravana Masam (Shravan Mas)" in August and/or in "Karthika Masam (Karthik Mas)" in November. 

     "Nagula" means snakes and "Chavithi" means the fourth day after every new moon day. On this day , devotees observe fast and worship Naga Devatha, the supreme snake - the seven hooded cobra. Fresh flowers, milk, vadapappu, chalimidi, nuvvula laddu and fresh coconut are offered to the God as nievedhyam. Devotees also offer milk to Naga Devatha Vigraham or Idol, beneath the Bodhi tree in temples. Some devotees complete the pooja at home by placing the Naga Devatha Vigraham or Idol just for a day.

Nagula Chavathi Katha Or story:

The legend behind Nagula Chavithi is :
         During the churning of the ocean by Gods and demons in the search of "Amrutham (The nectar od immortality)", a snake was used as a rope in the process. Then a terrible poison "Garalam" emerged. This poison would have engulfed the whole world, but Bhagavan Shiva or Lord Shiva, swallowed it and retained it in His throat. Then His throat turned blue - hence, Bhagavan Shiva or Lord Shiva is called as "Neelakantha". However that time, a few drops of the poison spilled. So, to ward off those evil effects, people worship the Cobra - the king of all snakes, to pacify the brood and protect them from any evil or ill effects.

Preparations For Pooja A Day Before:

Clean your home and the pooja mandir.

Shopping List:

Yellow Moong Dal
Sesame Seeds
Poppy Seeds
Jaggery
Cardamom
Ghee
Fresh Milk
Dry Coconut
Fresh Coconut
Cotton Thread For Thoranam
Fresh Flowers
Fruits

Preparations:
Crush and grate Jaggery finely. Grate the dry coconut. Crush the cardamon seeds and prepare cardamom powder. Store them in a clean jars.

On Nagula Chavathi Festival Day:

        Purify yourself with a head bath. Decorate the pooja mandir with fresh flowers. Prepare nievedhyam:
                    Vadapappu, Chalimidi, Sesame Laddu.


For Nagula Chavithi Pooja:

How To Prepare Naga Devatha Idol :

              Since I dont have a Naga Devatha statue or idol at home, I make the idol with wheat flour.
  • Take 1/4 cup of wheat flour in a bowl and sprinkle few tablespoons of water to it. Knead and make a tight dough.
  • Roll the dough into a long, round coil.
  • Shape the coil into a snake form and press the coil end into a snake head form.
  • Cover the snake with turmeric and kumkum mixture.
  • Naga Devatha is ready to offer pooja.
               Place the Naga Devatha in pooja mandir. Decorate it with fresh flowers. Place a small glass of fresh milk and a spoon on the side.

How To Prepare Thoranam:

               Take a cotton thread in three rows and apply turmeric to it. Place it in front of  Naga Devatha Idol.

Pooja Vidhanam:
              
  • Place the prepared nievedhyam platter with Vadapappu, Chalimidi, Nuvvula Laddu in front of Naga Devatha idol.
  • Place the fruits in front of the Naga Devatha Idol.
  • Light Deepam or Diya , the agarbatti and sambrani stick.
  • Take a teaspoon of milk (which is placed beside Naga Devatha idol) and gently pour onto Naga Devatha's Head.
  • Meditate by chanting Sri Subramanya Swamy Ashtotharam for Naga Devatha.
  • Break the coconut and offer the coconut water. 
  • Offer Mangala Aarathi to Naga Devatha.
  • Now tie the thoranam to your right wrist, and do the same to all of your family members. Make a wish while tying a knot.
After Pooja Vidhanam:

  • Once the pooja is finished, leave your house and spend few minutes in your front or back yard.
  • This is a tradition so that the God can enjoy the nievedhyam.
  • After few minutes, come inside and have the nievedhyam with family and friends.
  • Prepare feast with Payasam, Pulihora, Vada along with Rice, Dal, Curry and Curd or Yogurt.
  • In the evening offer the nievedhyam with all the prepared feast on the banana leaf in front of Naga Devatha idol.
  • After Mangala Aarathi send off Naga Devatha (idol) into the woods, by placing the deity on a plant or tree and leave it for nature.

This Completes The Nagula Chavithi Festival Celebrations.
      

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