The Snake Fair at Singhiyaghat in Samastipur, Bihar, is a 100-year-old Nag Panchami ritual
The event features extraordinary displays of faith, with people draping snakes around their necks
Authorities imposed a strict ban on the festival under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
For over a hundred years, the Snake Fair at Singhiyaghat in Vibhutipur block, Samastipur district, Bihar, has stood as one of Mithila’s most fascinating and extraordinary cultural events. Celebrated annually on Nag Panchami, this age-old tradition draws devotees from across Bihar and neighbouring regions, where snakes are revered, worshipped, and handled in public as part of deep-rooted religious beliefs.
Every year, hundreds of devotees gather at Singhiyaghat, about 23 kilometers from Samastipur town, to participate in this remarkable ritual. The festival begins with prayers and offerings at the Maa Bhagwati temple in Singhia Bazaar, where devotees invoke the blessings of Mata Vishhari, the snake goddess worshipped for protection, fertility, and the fulfilment of wishes. From there, long processions move toward the banks of the Budhi Gandak river, where the main rituals unfold.
The fair paints an astonishing sight: people of all ages—from small children to the elderly—carrying live snakes on their shoulders, draped around their necks like garlands, coiled on sticks, or even held barehanded. In some instances, daring devotees place snakes in their mouths as an act of faith before setting them free in nearby forests after rituals conclude. Viral videos of the event have frequently captured these awe-inspiring yet perilous scenes, showing families walking casually through dense crowds with venomous snakes treated as sacred beings rather than dangerous creatures.
The tradition is believed to have been passed down for more than a century. Locals say preparations for the fair begin months in advance, with snakes collected from forests and farmlands. Women play a central role in the religious customs, offering jhapa (ritual offerings) and prasad at sacred snake burrows, known as gahvars, praying for childbirth, family prosperity, and protection from harm. Fulfilled wishes are believed to be answered by Nag Devta, the snake deity worshipped during the festival.
The fair attracts participants not only from Samastipur but also from neighboring districts such as Khagaria, Saharsa, Begusarai, and Muzaffarpur, making it a major spiritual and cultural event in the Mithila region. Remarkably, despite the mass handling of venomous snakes, no serious snakebite incidents have been reported in recent years, a fact devotees attribute to divine blessings.
Ban Imposed This Year Over Wildlife Concerns
However, the Samastipur district administration has imposed a strict ban on the traditional snake fair this year, citing violations of wildlife protection laws and public safety concerns. Nag Panchami 2025, observed on July 17, saw authorities stepping in with unprecedented measures to curb the use of snakes in public gatherings.
District Magistrate Roshan Kushwaha issued directives to all sub-divisional officers, police officials, block development officers, and circle officers to identify organizers and participants involved in capturing, displaying, or handling snakes during the festival. Legal proceedings have been initiated under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which prohibits the capture and use of protected species for entertainment or religious purposes.
According to officials, snakes are traditionally caught months ahead of the festival from nearby forests and agricultural fields, often subjected to stress and harm before being publicly displayed. The administration stated that while cultural sentiments are respected, religious rituals cannot override wildlife protection laws, and no future permissions will be granted for such events. All similar gatherings will now be strictly monitored, and preventive action will be taken against unauthorized processions involving wild animals. [Rh/VP]