Nagula Chavithi is observed on the fourth day (Chaturthi) after Deepavali Amavasya during Karthika masam.

Devotees offer milk and dry fruits to Sarpa Devata at the Valmeekam or Putta (snake pits).

The popular legend associated with Nagula Chavithi in Telugu Hindu culture suggests that on the day Lord Shiva drank the poison Halahala or Kalkuta to save the universe during the famous incident of Samudra Manthan.

Animal rights activists criticize this festival for propagating a regressive myth that snakes drink milk.

But the charmers usually captured the snake, broke the fangs off of it (called defanging), stitched its mouth in the sides and left a hole in the front.

People would offer various food items including milk, which to an extremely dehydrated snake with only one hole in its mouth, appears much like water to a person stranded in the desert.

"[2] Animal rights activists point out that the milk that is wasted here is obtained from cruel practices in the dairy industry.