NAGULA CHAVITHI
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The Legend :
Legend has it that the sanctity and
importance of the Nagula Chavithi were once described by the Sootha Maharshi to Sounaka
and other sages in the Nimisha forest. An issue has risen on the validity of the fact that
women are all equal in the eyes of God, since a few women were blessed with children while
others are not. Explaining the controversy, Sootha Mahamuni is said to have told the sages
that some women knowingly or unknowingly commit certain sins like killing animals, birds
and insects in their routine life and it is on the magnitude of these sins that some get
childless and other beget children.
 He then explained
that Nagula Chavithi is one day when the women folk can wash off all such sins by
performing "Naga Pratishta", placing an idol of snakes in a temple amidst the
chanting of mantras, and offering milk to these idols, as described in the ‘Naga
Pratishta Kalpam’.
This apart it is also held that the prayers
are offered to poisonous cobras for protection of their families from their fatal bite.
Yet another legend in vogue with the
festival is that while Lord Shiva had engulfed the deadly poison that emerged as the Gods
and demons have churned the Milk Ocean for ‘Amrutam’, a few drops have spilled
on to the earth. And it is held that it is to ward off this ill effect that the worship of
serpents is performed. |
