Nagula Chavithi comes on the fourth day after the Deepavali new moon. Women fast and go, usually with their children, to a putta, the tall earthen mound that termites build and snakes are believed to live in, and offer milk to the Nagas who dwell there.
The story
Serpents hold up the Earth, guard what is buried in it, and coil around both Shiva's neck and Vishnu's bed. Their worship is among the oldest in the south, and in Telugu country it is tied closely to Subrahmanya, who is himself approached in serpent form.
The fast is kept above all for children: for their health, for the birth of a child, and for protection from the sarpa dosha that astrologers warn of. It also comes at harvest time, when people and snakes meet most often in the fields.
How it is kept
- At the puttaMilk is poured into the openings of the mound, which is marked with turmeric and kumkum and hung with flowers. Where there is no anthill, stone Naga images under a peepal or neem tree are worshipped instead.
- The offeringsChalimidi (rice flour with jaggery), vadapappu (soaked green gram), chimmili (sesame with jaggery), bananas and tender coconut.
- Putta mannuA pinch of earth from the mound is touched to the ears, especially the children's, as a blessing.
- The fastNothing cooked on the stove is eaten until the puja is done; many take only the offerings that day.
- The last crackersWhatever is left over from Deepavali is lit at the anthill, which is what the children's chant on Deepavali night looks forward to.
Why this date
Nagula Chavithi is the fourth tithi (Chavithi) of the bright half of Karthika, observed on the day it is in force at sunrise. Some families and regions keep their serpent worship in the month of Sravana instead, at Naga Panchami.
Nagula Chavithi in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Tuesday | |
| 2028 | Saturday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Wednesday | |
| 2031 | Tuesday |
More Telugu festivals
29 OctoberDeepavaliదీపావళి
14 NovemberKarthika Pournamiకార్తీక పౌర్ణమి
28 OctoberNaraka Chaturdasiనరక చతుర్దశి
4 DecemberSubrahmanya Shashthiసుబ్రహ్మణ్య షష్ఠి
9 OctoberVijayadasamiవిజయదశమి
8 OctoberMaha Navamiమహర్నవమి
Where to see Nagula Chavithi
In the Telugu states
- Subrahmanyeswara Swamy Temple, MopideviAndhra PradeshIn the Krishna delta, where Subrahmanya is worshipped in the form of a serpent; the anthill here is the centre of the day.
- SrikalahastiAndhra PradeshThe temple most Telugu families turn to for the serpent planets, Rahu and Ketu.
- BikkavoluAndhra PradeshAn Eastern Chalukya temple town whose Subrahmanya temple draws the Godavari districts.
Across India
- Kukke SubramanyaKarnatakaIn the Western Ghats, where the serpent king Vasuki is said to have taken refuge; the country's foremost temple for serpent rites.
- MannarasalaKeralaA temple in a grove holding thousands of stone serpents, with a woman as its chief priest.
- Nagaraja Temple, NagercoilTamil NaduThe temple that gives the town its name.