Call to Reinstate Traditional Snake Worship in Battis Shirala

Mumbai, Jul 2 (PTI) In a recent session of the Maharashtra legislative assembly, there was a strong demand among members to restart the traditional practice of worshipping live snakes during Nag Panchami in Battis Shirala, a town in Sangli district. BJP legislator Satyajit Deshmukh took the lead by raising a calling attention motion on the issue . He drew parallels with other cultural practices like Jallikattu, an ancient bull-taming sport of Tamil Nadu that was reinstated by the Supreme Court, and the ceremonial use of elephants, which continues to be permitted. Deshmukh emphasized the religious and historical importance of the Nag Panchami festival in Battis Shirala, noting its inclusion in school textbooks . Historically, the town was renowned for the tradition of worshipping live snakes, a practice halted by a 2002 Bombay High Court ruling that banned cobra processions. Deshmukh refuted allegations that the snakes were ever harmed . Forest Minister Ganesh Naik addressed the assembly, explaining that while the festival holds significant religious meaning locally, it was stopped due to action by wildlife conservationists. Naik informed that a meeting with the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, is scheduled for July 7-8 to discuss the matter further . He expressed the government’s intent to find a way to resume the tradition without harming the reptiles, adhering to legal guidelines. NCP (SP) leader Jayant Patil noted that historically, no incidents of harm to people from handling live snakes during the festival have been reported . Supporting the motion, BJP member Gopichand Padalkar highlighted the tourist attraction the festival held, with visitors from abroad previously drawn to the unique spectacle. Deshmukh concluded by assuring that locals worship live cobras with care, releasing them back into their natural habitat unharmed .

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