In the Navtol village of Begusarai district, Bihar, a sight unfolds every year on Nag Panchami that surprises first-time viewers. Hundreds of villagers enter the Balan River and catch venomous snakes, hanging them around their necks, and dance and sing as they proceed to the Bhagwati temple in the village. This tradition is not new, but rather about 300 years old, and it is still observed with the same devotion and dedication today.
A Unique Tradition of Removing Venomous Snakes from the River
Navtol is also known as the village of snakes by the locals. The reason is clear—on Nag Panchami, people here do not fear venomous snakes, but rather lovingly catch them, put them around their necks, and then take out a procession throughout the village with drums and other musical instruments. A large number of people come from far and wide every year to witness this event.
The villagers claim that no one has ever been bitten by a snake during this event. They believe that this tradition has remained completely safe due to the grace of Maa Bhagwati. While the tradition of offering milk to snakes is observed on Nag Panchami throughout the country, in Navtol, this festival has become an example of this deep connection and fearlessness with snakes.
The Tradition Started with Raubi Das
According to the villagers, this tradition was started by Raubi Das, a devotee of the village. He was a great devotee of Maa Bhagwati, and about three centuries ago, he first took a snake out of the Balan River and offered it to the temple on Nag Panchami. Since then, this tradition has been observed with full devotion by his descendants and the people of the entire village.
Environmental Message Connected with Faith
This unique event also has a scientific aspect. The villagers believe that snakes are not only important from a religious point of view, but also their role in environmental balance is significant. According to the villagers, snakes are capable of absorbing harmful gases like methane present in the environment. This is the reason that snakes are worshipped in the Sanatan tradition, and their importance has remained from Lord Shiva to Tantra practices.
