VIJAYAWADA: Several women along with their family members thronged Lord Shiva temples and snake pits in Vijayawada and the Krishna district to offer special prayers to Naga Devatha (snake god) on the occasion of Nagula Chavithi on Sunday.
Long queue lines were witnessed at Subramanyeswara Swamy temple at Mopidevi from dawn, where women dressed in bright coloured clothes offered special prayers and marked the snake pits with saffron and turmeric, said police.
The women also offered milk and eggs at the snake pits with devotion and sought blessings for health, wealth and prosperity.
According to Hindu mythology, Nagula Chavithi is celebrated on the fourth day after Diwali that falls on the new moon day. On this day, the devotees observe a fast and believe that one could get rid of prolonged illness by worshiping the snake god.
Similarly, the devotees thronged at Subramanyeswara Swamy temple atop Indrakeeladri and various temples, including snake pits at Eluru Lakulu, Sub-Collector’s Office, District Courts Complex, Electricity Sub-Station near Ramavarappadu Junction and the like.
The police made elaborate arrangements to manage crowds at the small temple and the surrounding snake pits near State Guest House. At the other end, the devotees also performed Ksheera Abhishekam (milk bath) to tiny snake images in their homes to propitiate to Nagaraja(snake god) and burnt firecrackers near the snake pits.