Nagula Chavithi (Telugu: నాగుల చవితి)

Nagula Chavithi (Telugu: నాగుల చవితి) 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.

Nagula Chavithi, a festival to worship Nag Devatas (Serpent Gods), is mainly a women festival. Nagula Chavithi is observed by married women for their wellbeing of their children. During the Chavithi festival, women 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.

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.

The main event on the day includes pujas and prayers in Naga temples across the state. People offer pujas near sacred spots associated with snakes like anthills, groves and other sacred spots.

On this day people wake up early in the morning, take a bath and visit the nearby temple with the idols of snake, and perform puja at the snake pit. Devotees offer turmeric powder, Kumkum and lighten lamp for peace and prosperity. The festival  also a symbolizes the peaceful existence of humans and venomous creatures. 

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 laddu): Mix sesame (Nuvvula) 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 ' Putta' (Snake pit) and offer naivedyam and perform puja there.
• Take Pasupu, kumkum, cow milk, crackers, 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. 

Significance:

It is a widely popular belief that people who worship snake god on nagula chavithi day are protected by snake bites and fear of snakes and all evil in the world. A very common belief is that women who are childless should do pooja to snake god on this day and get blessings and have children. It is also believed that if anyone see snakes in their dreams is considered auspicious.

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.

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

Interesting Facts:

Nowadays, Nagula Chavithi day is noted for the notorious 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. Such practices should not be encouraged as it leads to the death of snakes.
Snakes don’t drink milk but the practice has been encouraged by popular beliefs.
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.

Muhurtham: The most important part of the wedding

JEELAKARRA-BELLAM: ( A paste of combination of JEERA& JAGGERY)

All these events take place one after the other very fast amidst the traditional music of  'Sannai Melam' and by the time 'kanyadanam' is completed, the bride and the groom still separated with a curtain, hold 'jeela-karra bellam' (a thick paste made of crushed cumin seeds or jeera and jaggery) placed in betel leaves. 'Sumuhurtham' is the most important and awaited event of the wedding ceremony.

This slightly bitter cumin and sweet jaggery when ground together turn into an inseparable mixture. The custom signifies that bride and groom are supposed to become inseparable through life's bitter and sweet times.

The cake is kept exactly at anterior fontanel, an esoteric aperture that is believed to transmit visual and spiritual energy between them to become an inseparable couple.

The “Terasalla” is then removed. The bride and the groom are instructed to look into each other’s eyes and the place in between eyes. The following Vedic verses are chanted at that time:

Dhruvante Raja Varuno Dhruvam Devo Bruhspathi

Dhruvantha Indraschaangischa Rashtram Dhrayatham Dhruvam

When you enter your own kingdom after marriage, you will be blessed with stability by the king Varuna (water diety), The celestial priest Bruhaspati, the king of the heavens Indra and Agni (the fire God).

Abhrathrughneem Varunapathighneem Bruhaspathe

Indra Puthrighneem Lakshyam Thamasyai savithassuva

O Varuna, may this marriage result in prosperity to bride’s family, O Bruhaspati, may this bride augment the progress of her husband,  O Indra, please bless them to have children.

                                                           Aghora Chakshur… Chatushpade

O blessed bride, may you look at your husband and his family with kind eyes, bring prosperity to his house, have a long married life, give birth to children with valor, bring luster and brilliance to your new home, and behave in a way that even God will be very appreciative of you.

Why the cumin seeds and jaggery paste : Positive Electric charge emanates when cumin seeds and jaggery are combined and a paste made of it, as is happened when the glass rod rubbed with silk cloth (In the case of glass rod, electrons are loosely bounded compared to silk cloth and hence it loses electrons &get positive charge and it gets the ability to attract the nearby particles).  In the crown of the head, a subtle or esoteric aperture will be there.  When this paste is placed on the top of this esoteric aperture which remains closed, gets opened and the positive energy enters through this hole, it travels through Sahasrara Chakra reaches the Ajna Chakra and energizes it(centre of spiritual energy- placed between the two eyebrows otherwise called Bhrumadhya or Bhrukuti).    The bride and groom when looks at each others Bhrukuti (when the veil removed/put down,) their brain wave lengths meet.  When the wave lengths of two persons coincide, they think alike and there is no chance of contradictions.  This gives them the pleasurable married life.

 

The parents of the bride exit the stage briefly. The bride and groom sit side by side.

Sumuhurta Akshata

Those present at the wedding shower their blessings on the couple by sprinkling flowers and turmeric-coloured rice (Akshata) on them.

 

Kartika Shudda Padyami

Kartika Shudda Padyami:

It is on the third day of Deepawali — Kartika Shudda Padyami that Bali steps out of hell and rules the earth according to the boon given by Lord Vishnu.

Padyami
The first day of Karthika Masam.. Need to go for Lord Siva or Lord Vishnu temple , to pray them to give strength to do the puja for the whole month.. This Day we have to start litting Akasa Deepam.. The Lamp we can lit either at the entrance of your house or at Siva or Vishnu temple

In the month of Kartik, which is very dear to Shree Hari, one who bathes early in the morning attains the merit of bathing in all places of pilgrimage.  Anybody who offers the Lord a ghee lamp in this month of kartika becomes free from all kinds of sins, , and he goes to the abode of Lord Hari.  If anyone fasts and observes the Kartikvrata according to the rules and regulations, the Yamadutas, the messengers of Yamaraja, run away from him, just as an elephant runs away by seeing a lion.

It is also known as Bali Padyami.

Balipadyami celebrates the reign of Asura King Balindra, popularly known as Mahabali, who was killed by Vamana, an incarnation of Vishnu. Legend has it that due to a boon given by Lord Vishnu, King Balindra gets an opportunity to rule to entire universe for one day and this day is Bali Padyami.

Legend has it that King Bali attained immense popularity due to his good governance. He attained near invincibility with the help of his Guru Shukracharya. As a result, Indra soon lost heaven to Bali. And Balindra got the coveted title of Chakravarthi – emperor. Bali decided to conduct Ashvamedha Yajna, to show his strength.

Indra sought the help of Lord Vishnu to regain his lost heaven.

Lord Vishnu attended the Yajna, as Vamana, a dwarf. Vamana asked for three steps of land and it was immediately granted by King Bali. Soon, the short Vamana grew in size – so huge that it was impossible to describe in words.

With his first step, Vamana covered all of Earth. His second step covered all of the Sky. There was no place for the third step and King Bali offered his head. Vamana sent Bali to Patalaloka or Underworld.

King Bali was a popular and great ruler; therefore he was made the emperor of underworld by Vamana. He was also given the boon that he will be allowed to rule the entire universe for one day, which is the Balipadyami day.

On Balipadyami day, people remember King Bali and pray for the return of prosperity that existed during his rule. Exchanging gifts on this day is a major highlight.

In the month of Kartik one should worship Lord Damodar and daily recite the prayer known as Damodar-ashtakam

A brief introduction to the Kartika Puranam and a complete set of 30-stories to be recited during the Hindu holy month of Kartikam

Kartika Puranam is one of most popular puranams according to the Hindu traditions. Extracted from the even more popular puranam, the Skanda Puranam, Kartika Puranam is considered to be powerful as it is one of the very few Hindu epics that brings punya just by listening to the epic stories. It may be recalled that the Skanda Puranam itself is one of the 18 major epics of the Hinduism.Embedded into short stories, the Kartika Puranam is divided into 30 easy-to-understand chapters, each chapter recited on each day of the Hindu holy month of Kartika Masam.

Devotees light diya every evening and perform Karthika masa puja.
Devotees recite at least one chapter of Karthika Puranam everyday. Those who would like to read Kartika Purana, please click the link below to read in English


http://www.astrojyoti.com/skandapurana.htm

Significance of Karthika Masam

What is Karthika masam?

Kartik Maas (also known as Damodar Maas) is the most auspicious month among Hindus. It begins on the day after Deepavali and also marks the beginning of winter season. It begins in the eight month of the year after the sun entering into Tula..

The lunar calendar has been divided into two parts Dakshinayana and Uttararyana. Karthika Masam comes under Dakshinayana. Out of the two ayanas Dakshinayana is set aside for Sadhana. Sadhana means a process by which one would get salvation. Out of all the months in Dakshinayana Karthika Masam is best suited for Sadhana. Hence Karthika Masam is one of the most auspicious months of the lunar calendar.

Puranas state that on Karthika pournami Lord Shiva kílled Tripurasuras and protected the world. Puranas also state that Lord Vishnu goes to sleep on Ashadha suddha ekadashi and wakes-up on Karthika suddha ekadashi. In this month Ganga, enters in to all rivers, canals, ponds and wells and flows as antarvaahini, making them as pious as the Ganga. In this month, Ayyappa deeksha is also taken and continued up to Makara Sankranthi.

The daily activities starts early in the morning taking bath with cold water, going to temple, lighting deepam, fasting and saligrama pooja. The most auspicious days in this season are Mondays which is very important to Lord Shiva. As per the puranas it is believed that by performing the karthka Masam vratham we can drive away the past karmas and the sins committed can be destroyed. Lighting Lamps with ghee made from the cow’s milk during the sunrise and sunset brings prosperity, wealth, health into our lives. It also burns the material desires in between our birth and death.

Lighting of Diya or Lighting a Lamp

During Karthika Masam, it is considered auspicious to light a diya. Diyas are lit and placed in front of Tulasi plant and near the main entrance of the house before Sun rise, and just before Sun set. Diyas are also lit in temples, on top of the Dhwaja Sthambam on Karthika Pournami. These diyas are called  Akaasa Deepam. On Karthika Pournami, the whole house is decorated with diyas.

Bathing in River or Nadi Snanam

Another important significance is bathing in rivers during Karthika Masam. The rivers have received fresh water during the rainy season comprising of Shravan and Bhadrapada Months and have completely settled by the time Karthika Masam starts. Also, Sharad Rithu (season) known for its special Moon light comprises of Ashwayuja and Karthika Months. All along the Aswayuja Masam, the rivers would absorb the energy from Moon and by bathing in the river during Karthika Masam one can absorb this energy from the river.

Vanabhojanalu during Karthika Masam

It is a common ritual that people would go out with families and friends to parks or nearby forests to have a dinner during the Karthika Masam or Karthika Month. These are known as Vanabhojanalu.

Performing of SatyaNarayana Vrat

Devotees of Lord Vishnu will perform the Satyanarayana Vrat during the holy month of Karthika Masam. It is believed that performing Satyanarayana Vrata on Karthika Pournami would help them to free themselves from all the sins.

Performing of Ekadasa Rudra Abhishekam

Devotees of Lord Shiva would perform the Ekadasa Rudra Abhishekam for the whole month of Karthika Masam to please Lord Shiva.

Karthika Somavara Vratam

Few devotees would observe a Karthika Soma vara Vratham. The normal process of Karthika Somavara Vratham would be to fast for the whole day, perform the Rudra Abhishekam by chanting the Rudra Namakam and Rudra Chamakam. They then eat after seeing the stars.

Nattalu or Natta Vratam

Nattallu or Natta Vratam is observed by the devotees. The process of observing Nattallu or Natta Vratam is to fast for the whole day and eat only after seeing the stars for the whole month of Kathika Masam. So only if this routine is followed for the complete month it is called as Natta Vratham or Nattalu.

The Ekadashi of Karthika Masam is very special and hence people would also observe the Karthika Ekadasi Vrat.

Significance of each day in Karthika Masam: 

Padyami: 1st day of Karthika Masam. Devotees generally go to Lord Siva or Lord Vishnu temple to pray them to give strength to do the puja for the whole month. This is the Day we start lighting Akasa Deepam. The Lamp you light either at the entrance of your house or at Siva or Vishnu temple 

Vidiya: 2nd day of karthika masam. Brother should go to his sister's house on this auspicious day and eat the food cooked by her and bestow her with blessings and gifts

Thadiya: 3rd day of the month. Good Day to do Thrilochana Guri Vratham.. Those who are unable to do the Vrath can do Kumkuma archana or Puja to Maa Parvathi on this day

Chavithi: 4th Day is Chavithi. It is said to be Nagula Chavithi in Andhra. On this day it’s good to worship Lord Subramanya swamy (Murugan)

Panchami: 5th day is Panchami, also known as Jnana Panchami. Need to do archana for Lord Subramanya swamy.

Shasti: 6th Day is Shasti. Should not eat your favorite items today

Saptami: 7th Day is Sapthami: Pray to Lord Surya (Sun God) and donate tie wheat in a red color cloth and donate

Ashtami: 8th Day is Ashtami, also known as Gopala ashtami, Need to do puja to Go matha (Holy Cow)

 Navami: 9th Day is Navami, good to start Vishnu Thri rathra vratham, which need to be done for 3 days. Its good to do puja for Lord Vishnu in the evening and Night time.

 Dasami: 10th Day is Dasami, pray to Lord Vishnu today

Ekadasi: 11th Day is Ekadasi, Do fasting (Upavasam) and break the fast on Dwadasi.

 Dwadasi: 12th Day is Dwadasi, known as Khseerabdi Dwadasi . Lord Vishnu will wake up from his yoga nidra on this day. Do Puja to Lord vishnu. Good to do Puja under Gooseberry tree or Tulsi plant.

 Trayodasi: 13th Day is Trayodasi, Good day to skip dinner. Auspicious to donate Saligrama Sila

Chathurdasi: 14th Day is Chathurdasi, good to donate Iron and Sesame today, not to eat your favorite food

Pournami: 15th Day is Pournami. Need to do Nadi Snanam (Taking Bath in River). Do puja to Lord Varuna. Auspicious to light diya at Lord Siva or Vishnu temple. It brings a lot of good even if you see the deepa at the temple

 Bahula Padyami: 16th Day is Bahula Padyami. Not to eat stocked food and curd

Vidiya: 17th Day is Vidiya. Good day to do Vana Bhojanam. It is said that offering prayers to Lord Vishnu under Gooseberry tree and then having food there with relatives and friends will bring great benefits.

Thadiya: 18th Day is Thadiya. Good to donate Thulasi Mala to Bramhin

Chavithi: 19th Day is Chavithi. Need to do pooja to Lord Vinayaka with Garika ( a type of grass, favorite for Ganapathi)

Panchami: 20th day is Panchami. Need to feed the animals, ants, birds etc

 Shasti: 21st day is Shasti. Need to do Puja to Grama Devatha. Good to donate what ever you can depending on your status.

Saptami: 22nd Day is Sapthami. Need to do puja to Lord shiva with white Calotropis Gigantea (Jilledu in telugu, Erukku in tamil)

Ashtami: 23rd Day is Ashtami. Need to do puja for Kala bhirava with Vada ( Garelu in telugu)

Navami: 24th day is Navami. Good to donate water, red color saree, blouse piece, bangles etc

Dasami: 25th day is Dasami: Good to donate food , need to do upavasam (fasting)

Ekadasi: 26th day is Ekadasi: Doing Deeparadhana (lighting the Lamp), Listening to Puranas will give great benefits today

Dwadasi: 27th Day is Dwadasi: Good to donate food for the needy

Thrayodasi: 28th Day is Thrayodasi. Need to do puja to Navagraha. Good to do Fasting on the name of Navagraha

Chaturdasi: 29th Day is Chathurdasi. Today is known as Masa Siva rathri, Need to pray lord siva and doing fasting in day time is good.

Amavasya: 30th Day is Amavasya. Need to donate food on the name of pithru devathalu (the deceased). Good to do fasting. Last day of lighting Akasa Deepam. Need to light the lamp at temple and offer coconut to Lord.

Dos and Don'ts in Karthika Masam:

• Must take shower (including hair) daily.
• Must light deepam every evening and do pooja.
• Read one chapter in karthika puranam book everyday.It is even good to hear the story if someone is reading it loud.
• Prepare prasadam on Mondays, karthika poornima, koti somavaram and remaining days you can even keep some fruit as prasadam
• One should not eat Onion, garlic and non-veg food for the whole month.
• Should not use seasame oil for anything except for lighting diyas
• Should not eat urad dal
• Must take meal only once per day for the 30 days. We can eat breakfast at nights or at least, we must follow this on auspicious days like Mondays, karthika poornima, koti somavaram etc.

Naraka Chaturdashi

Naraka Chaturdashi  is a Hindu festival, which falls on Chaturdashi (14th day) of krishna paksha of the,  Aaswayuja masam which is the second day of the five-day-long festival of deepavali. The Hindu mythology narrates that the asura (demon) Narakasura was killed on this day by Krishna, Satyabhama and Kali

Naraka Chaturdashi is celebrated as the day when Lord Krishna slayed demon Narakasura.

According to Hindu mythology, Narakasur, the son of Mother Earth, becomes an evil asur who ruled several kingdoms brought under his rule by force. Narakasur comes to rule Heaven and Earth. Lord Indra pleads with Lord Vishnu who promises to deal with the matter in his incarnation as Krishna.  In his incarnation as Krishna, he attacks Narakasur while riding his mount Garuda with his wife Satyabhama and beheads him with the Sudarshan Chakra.

In another version, it is said that Narkasur is granted a boon by Lord Brahma that he will only die at the hands of a woman. So in the battle, it is Lord Krishna's wife Satyabhama who beheads him with Krishna as her saarthi.

 The message of observance is that human must abolish laziness and evil of ego which creates hell in life. In other words if you live in humility and devotion you will shine in life.

 

In southern India, people wake up early and take a holy bath. Then they make a paste of kumkum and oil and apply it on their foreheads. . As per the legends of Naraka Chaturdashi, Lord Krishna himself took oil bath after killing demon Narakasura during Brahma Muhurat. Hence the day is considered significant to take ritualistic oil bath before the sunrise.

It is believed that people who do Abhyang Snan on Narak Chaturdashi can avoid going to Narak. Til (i.e. sesame) oil should be used for Ubtan ( Ubtan is a mixture of sandalwood powder, haldi (turmeric), besan milk & milk cream)  during Abhyang Snan and dress up in the new clothes. The significance of taking bath before sunrise is just equal to taking bath in the holy water of Ganges.  After doing puja they burn up firecrackers in the significance of defeating the demon. People have their breakfasts and lunches altogether with their family and friends.

                          Here are the muhurat timings for the auspicious occasion:

                        Abhyang Snan Muhurta = 05:22 to 06:46 (1 Hour 24 Mins).
                      Chaturdashi Tithi starts from = 19:06 on 09th Nov, 2015.
                      Chaturdashi Tithi ends at= 21:23 on 10th Nov, 2015.