Archive · 18 Jul 2025
Bihar's Nag Panchami Festival: Snakes and Controversy
Imagine a special festival in India called Nag Panchami where people celebrate snakes.
In a village in Bihar, people carry live snakes around during the celebration, sometimes even putting them on their necks.
Videos of this went viral online.
The tradition has been going on for hundreds of years.
However, some people are worried because the snakes are often defanged, which is against the law.
While some think it's a cool tradition, others feel bad for the snakes because they are treated in a harmful way.
Devotees in Bihar paraded with live snakes during the Nag Panchami festival.
The annual fair, held in Samastipur district, is a centuries-old tradition.
Snakes were carried around necks, arms, and heads, as seen in viral videos.
The snakes are often defanged beforehand, an illegal practice under Indian law.
Online reactions vary, with some appreciating the tradition and others expressing concern.
- Who
- Devotees participating in the Nag Panchami festival.
- What
- A religious ritual where devotees parade with snakes.
- When
- Annually, during the Nag Panchami festival.
- Where
- Singhia Ghat in Samastipur district, Bihar, India.
- Why
- To celebrate the Nag Panchami festival, a centuries-old tradition.
- Event
- Nag Panchami fair
- Location
- Singhia Ghat, Samastipur district, Bihar
- Tradition Age
- Centuries old
- Animal Treatment
- Defanging, an illegal practice
- Online Reaction
- Mixed; some appreciate the tradition, others concerned