Nagula Chavithi 2024: Date, Muhurat time, Significance, Rituals and more

Nagula Chavithi 2024: Date and Time

Nagula Chavithi, an auspicious festival dedicated to the worship of Nag Devatas (Serpent Gods), is observed on the fourth day after Deepavali Amavasya during Karthika Masam, a sacred month in the Hindu lunar calendar.  This year it will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. This festival holds special significance for married women, who observe the rituals of Nagula Chavithi with devotion, seeking blessings for the well-being and longevity of their children.

While the festival is celebrated across India, it holds particular cultural importance in Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka. Here is everything you need to know about the date, rituals, and significance of Nagula Chavithi in 2024.

Nagula Chavithi 2024: Date and Muhurat Time

Nagula Chavithi is a day of reverence and gratitude toward the Serpent Gods. The worship of Nag Devatas has deep cultural and spiritual roots in Hinduism, where snakes are considered protectors of water sources, and their blessings are believed to bring health, fertility, and prosperity.

For centuries, Nagula Chavithi has been a time to offer respect to these deities and seek their protection from ailments and misfortunes. Devotees believe that worshipping Nag Devatas on this day shields families from health issues and brings well-being, especially to young children.

The festival also aligns with the agricultural cycles in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, where worshipping Nag Devatas is seen as a way to prevent potential harm to crops, livestock, and families.

Nagula Chavithi 2024: Rituals and Practices

The rituals associated with Nagula Chavithi are distinctive and deeply symbolic. Here’s how devotees observe this day:

• Observance by Married Women: Married women take the lead in performing the rituals of Nagula Chavithi. They often observe a fast and pray for the health, happiness, and prosperity of their children.
• Worship of Snake Idols: Devotees prepare idols of Nag Devatas, either made of clay or silver, which are sanctified and worshipped with offerings. These idols are typically set up near anthills or specially created altars in temples or at home.
• Offering Milk and Turmeric: One of the significant rituals involves offering milk, turmeric, flowers, and sometimes sweets to the snake idols or images. In some places, devotees also sprinkle milk around anthills, where snakes are believed to reside, as a mark of respect and devotion.
• Special Pujas and Prayers: Many temples, particularly those dedicated to Nag Devatas, organise special pujas on Nagula Chavithi. Devotees participate in these collective prayers and seek blessings for their families.
• Avoidance of Harm to Snakes: In Hindu tradition, snakes are seen as sacred creatures that must not be harmed. On Nagula Chavithi, devotees consciously avoid any activities that could cause harm to snakes, reinforcing the idea of living in harmony with nature.

Nagula Chavithi is deeply embedded in the cultural heritage of Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, where it is considered one of the significant observances of the Karthika month. In these regions, the festival is marked with enthusiasm and faith, reflecting the people’s connection to their customs and traditions. Women, in particular, embrace the rituals of Nagula Chavithi with devotion, as it symbolises their role as protectors of family welfare and progeny.

The festival is often seen as a communal event, with families and communities gathering at temples to participate in group worship and festivities. In many towns and villages, temporary altars are set up, where devotees gather to pay homage to the Nag Devatas.

Nagula Chavithi is a day that exemplifies devotion, gratitude, and a connection to ancient traditions. Celebrated with great fervour in Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka, this festival dedicated to the Nag Devatas brings families together in prayer and strengthens cultural ties. Observing Nagula Chavithi in 2024 allows devotees to connect with their roots, honour the Serpent Gods, and seek blessings for health, prosperity, and happiness.

As devotees observe the age-old rituals of Nagula Chavithi, they carry forward a legacy of respect and reverence toward nature, embodying the harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world.

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