Snakes on necks, arms, and sticks! Viral video shows people wearing snakes during Nag Panchami fair in Bihar
For over a century, this festival has seen families carrying live snakes, sometimes wrapped around arms, shoulders, or even heads as a sign of devotion towards the serpent Goddess.
While some appreciate the courage and cultural significance of the event, others voice concern over potential harm to humans and reptiles. But for the people of Mithila, this celebration is far more than a parade. It is in fact a living legacy, a pact with tradition, and a moment of deep communal identity.
Similarly, this year also the Nag Panchami fair at Singhia Ghat in Bihar's Samastipur district drew hundreds of devotees during this week's celebrations. What sets this fair apart is the practice of carrying live snakes as part of the ritual, which runs from toddlers to seniors. The event kicked off at the Maa Bhagwati temple in Singhia Bazaar, where prayers were offered before the procession moved toward the Budhi Gandak riverbank.
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The footage from the fair went viral on social media, which shows participants draping cobras and other snakes around their necks, arms, or even balancing them on their heads. Some carried the reptiles swirled around sticks, while others reportedly performed daring acts, like holding snakes with their mouths, while chanting the name of Mata Vishhari.
It attracts devotees from across the Mithila region, including Khagaria, Saharsa, Begusarai, and Muzaffarpur, who believe these acts bring blessings, protection, and fulfillment of family wishes.
Apart from the public procession, women also perform intimate rituals within sacred groves known as Gahvars, praying for fertility and family well-being. Promises kept are honoured with offerings called Jhaap during the next Nag Panchami.
After these practices come to an end, the snakes are gently released into nearby forested areas. According to NDTV, no snakebite cases or injuries have been reported so far from this fair.
Still, animal rights advocates warn of harmful practices used in snake preparation, such as defanging, which is a cruel act that's illegal under wildlife protection laws.
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