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A village known for its Nagpanchami festivities

People are said to throng Battis Shirala, Sangli, for its Nagpanchami fervour

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Several people have flocked to Sangli's Battis Shirala village to witness its Nagpanchami celebrations. Battis Shirala is known for its centuries' old tradition of Nagpanchami celebration.

Here, people offer their prayers to snakes that are alive. More commonly, other parts of the state perform the Nagpanchami pooja by getting a small snake idol at home. Although, after restrictions laid down by courts in 2002, things such as snake processions have been discontinued in Battis Shirala, the traditional snake pooja is still performed.

About a week before Nagpanchami, snakes are caught and reportedly kept in earthen pots. They are also allowed to stay out of the pot for a while and fed with a rat or frog every day. 

On Nagpanchami morning, the snake is offered prayers. A naivadya—that is an offering of foodis made for Aambamata, a local Goddess. The snakes are then dropped off where they were picked from.

Devotees are said to crowd the village every year to participate in the festivities. 

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