In a jaw-dropping celebration of the Hindu festival called Nag Panchami, devotees were seen dancing with live cobras, draping them around their necks, holding them in their hands and even in their mouths as part of a centuries-old ritual honouring the serpent goddess Vishhari.

The incident occurred in Singhiya Ghat, Vibhutipur, Samastipur district, Bihar, northern India, on July 15.

Visuals from the scene paint a surreal and spine-chilling picture of the centuries-old fair, where fear seems to vanish in the face of faith. Men, women, youth, and even children actively take part in this jaw-dropping celebration, each carrying or wearing live snakes as if they were divine garlands.

Dozens of men can be seen boldly holding cobras, some wrapping a single snake around their necks like ornaments, while others drape two, three, or more across their bodies, undisturbed by the serpents’ sudden movements. One man is captured fearlessly toying with a cobra, repeatedly bringing it close to his mouth even as the snake strikes defensively, narrowly missing him each time. Yet, undeterred, he repeats the stunt again and again, drawing gasps from onlookers.

Women too walk in processions, proudly clutching snakes in their hands, wrapping them around their heads, torsos, and necks in displays of devotion that defy belief. Even small children join in, some no older than seven or eight, gripping long, thick snakes that dangle from their tiny arms, smiling as if holding balloons instead of venomous reptiles.

The entire scene blurs the line between ritual and recklessness, faith and fearlessness, a living, breathing testament to a tradition where the serpent is not feared, but worshipped.

According to reports, the festival was celebrated on Tuesday, turning the entire ghat into a surreal blend of devotion and daredevilry as thousands gathered to take part in one of India’s most extraordinary spiritual traditions, worshipping and dancing with live snakes.

This centuries-old ritual saw devotees at the annual snake fair walk with cobras draped around their necks, clasped in their hands, and even held in their mouths. The fair, hosted on the banks of the Budhi Gandak river, is a spectacle unique to the Mithila region and is believed to bring divine blessings and fulfilled wishes, especially for childless women.

The rituals began at the Maa Bhagwati Hindu Temple in Singhia Bazaar, where prayers were offered before devotees proceeded to the riverbank. People entered the river with snakes, chanting the name of the goddess Vishhari, revered for protection against snakebites and venom.

One of the most jaw-dropping acts included holding live snakes in the mouth, a display of fearlessness and faith that has become symbolic of this fair. After the rituals, the snakes were respectfully released back into the wild.

According to locals, this is more than a festival; it’s a legacy that’s believed to be over 300 years old. The belief is that Vishhari Mata grants wishes to those who participate with pure devotion.

Devotees from nearby districts like Khagaria, Saharsa, Begusarai, and Muzaffarpur, and even beyond, travel to be a part of this extraordinary event.

This year too, a devotee reportedly drew hundreds of snakes from the river, captivating crowds who believe the serpents are a sacred sign of divine presence and blessing.