Kanholibara seeks protection from Nagdevta with temples over graves of snakebite victims
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Nagpur: Kanholibara, a village 53 km from Nagpur in Hingna tehsil, observes a tradition which stirs curiosity and disbelief. Here, when someone dies from a snakebite, the body is not cremated but buried, and a small temple dedicated to Nagdevta is built over the grave.
The villagers believe the land is cursed, and worshipping the serpent god will save more lives from snakebites. Despite modern medical facilities and treatments now available, Kanolibara still sees one or two deaths from snake bites every year, claim villagers.
Over 50 such small temples have been in the last nearly 75 years. Last year, Ashok, a snake rescuer from the village, caught a snake which in turn bit him 3- 4 times, leading to his death.
Villagers say that many young children have also died over the years, often while playing or sitting in the fields.
"Whenever a snake takes a life, we build a shrine for the Nagdevta on the spot," says a village elder, Purushottam Nataram adding, "It's our way of asking for protection.
Every year, elaborate rituals are held at the snake temples on Nag Panchami. In the days leading up to the festival, the temples are freshly painted and decorated.
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Villagers adorn the shrines with flowers and colourful fabrics. On the day of the festival, villagers, dressed in vibrant clothes, offer prayers and perform rituals. People from nearby villages join the celebrations, believing the blessings of Nagdevta carry power beyond Kanolibara.
Interestingly, survivors of snake bites are also brought to the shrines. Inspired by their faith, a large Nagoba temple has also been built.
Every Nag Panchami, these survivors visit the temple to express their gratitude.
Decades ago, the lack of awareness and medical facilities meant that a snake bite was almost always fatal. With no doctors or treatments within reach, faith became the villagers' only weapon. Over time, this faith turned into a ritual, and the snake temples became part of the village's identity.
Even today, despite knowing that a hospital can save lives, Kanholibara's people do not break their tradition. A new death leads to another temple, another shrine where prayers will be whispered for years to come.
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