WATCH: Devotees Carry Live Snakes During ‘Nag Panchami’ Fair in Bihar

In a striking display of devotion, hundreds of worshippers were seen carrying live snakes during the Nag Panchami fair held in Bihar’s Samastipur district. Videos of the event, now widely shared online, captured the unusual event in which devotees ranging from young children to the elderly calmly walked through crowds with snakes wrapped around their arms, slung over their shoulders, or even coiled atop their heads.

Some carried snakes perched on sticks, while a few daring participants were seen gripping the reptiles with their teeth.

The traditional gathering, which took place at Singhia Ghat earlier this week, drew participants from across the Mithila region including Begusarai, Muzaffarpur, Khagaria, and Saharsa.

The ritual procession began after prayers were offered at the Maa Bhagwati temple in Singhia Bazaar. Following this, participants made their way to the banks of the Budhi Gandak river, chanting the name of Mata Vishhari—the revered local snake goddess.

Locals say this unique fair is a hundred-year-old tradition passed down through generations. Women devotees also play a key role, offering prayers from within sacred enclosures (Gahvars) to seek blessings related to fertility, health, and protection from evil.

One of the standout features of the fair is the symbolic release of snakes into nearby forested areas once the rituals are complete. Despite the sheer number of serpents handled during the event, no incidents of snake bites or injuries have been reported so far.

As part of the custom, many devotees return in future years with offerings and prasad to fulfill their vows once their prayers are answered.

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