Telugu snake-worship day on Karthika Shukla Chaviti; milk poured into anthills for family wellbeing

Nagula Chavithi is the Telugu festival of serpent worship on the Chaturthi (chavithi) of the bright half of Karthika, four days after Deepavali, celebrated across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Nagas are revered in Hindu tradition as guardians of the earth's waters and fertility: Vasuki is Shiva's necklace, Adishesha is Vishnu's bed, and Subrahmanya is closely associated with serpents. On this day women, and whole families, fast in the morning and go to snake anthills (putta), where they pour milk, offer turmeric, kumkum, flowers, eggs in some regions, chalividi (rice flour and jaggery) and chimmili (sesame and jaggery), and pray for the health of their children and protection from snakebite. It is believed that milk offered at the anthill reaches the Nagas, and that worshipping them removes Sarpa dosha and Kala Sarpa dosha. Children are given sweets after the puja, and the family breaks the fast together. Many avoid cutting, frying or digging on this day so as not to harm snakes. Nagula Chavithi is also a key day for couples praying for children.

Fast in the morning until the anthill puja; some avoid fried and cut foods all day.