Mass Killing of Snakes in the name of “Tradition” ?

What is Nag Panchmi? Is it really posing a threat to the existence of snakes? Are 50000 – 70000 snakes dying each year because of our traditions and if yes then are the concerned authorities taking appropriate actions?

Nag Panchmi is celebrated on the fifth day after Amavasya in the month of Shravan. There are various tales according to the people as to why we celebrate Nag Panchmi.

Nag Panchmi is celebrated during the monsoon and all the snakes come out of their burrows. It is believed that snakes most commonly Cobra come out of their burrows to attack humans. Milk is offered to the snakes to incite a harmonious relationship and ensure satisfaction on Nag Devta's end. 

The tale of this tradition also traces back to another parallel where it is believed that when Lord Krishna defeated Nag Kalia, there was a declaration by Lord Krishna on his victory that on the auspicious day of Nag Panchmi, people will offer milk and pray to the snakes. The logic behind this declaration was to help the devotees and their families to wash away all their sins and to protect themselves from any evil. 

Every year a month before Nag Panchami, snakes are forced to come out of their burrows and are captured in large numbers, especially the Indian Spectacled Cobra. The Indian Spectacled Cobra (Naja Naja) is considered very sacred in the Indian Culture. It holds a very important status within the Hindu mythology and is closely related to Lord Shiva.

The captured snakes are then stored in small earthen pots and during this time their venom glands are removed using blades while their fangs are broken using iron rods. This leaves the snakes in stress and agony. Sometimes to avoid them from biting any further, an adhesive is applied to seal their mouth. During this period neither are they fed anything nor given any water.

The mishandling and manhandling leads to many snakes losing their lives. Those who do survive are left dehydrated for weeks and in poor health. Just a few days before Nag Panchami these snakes are taken to temples. People play games with the snakes by coiling them around their neck and the snake charmers roam around showing how the snake dances on their punji’s tune. The stress and mishandling kills a few more snakes during these games and so called “Rituals”. Even though snake charming has been banned by the government since 2002, it is quite prevalent within the subcontinent. 

A few of these snakes which are left are taken directly to the temples where they are offered milk. Now, a snake who is really stressed and dehydrated confuses milk with water and drinks it and many times they are even forced to drink.

Snakes do not have Lactase in their digestive system which is an enzyme which catalyses the hydrolysis of lactose to glucose and galactose. Thus, snakes are lactose intolerant. Quite surely enough then due to a lack of species appropriate diet the snake dies. The milk offered to them is usually cold which also leads to pneumonia and lung infection. After their purpose is served they are released back into the wild where they die within days if not hours. 

The Bombay High Court had also advised the government to ensure that the snakes are not harmed in the name of a “tradition or ritual” along with imposing a ban on the possession of snakes for Nag Panchmi, after a PIL was filed against this matter by a wildlife lover in 2013. The authorities were asked to make policies that should not hurt the sentiments of the villagers and their traditions but also does not cause any harm to snakes.

But are appropriate actions taken by the authorities to conserve snakes and to ensure that they do not fall victims to “traditions and rituals”? Even today many temples of Bombay continue with the tradition to offer milk to snakes and they die an excruciating death.

Through this research piece we hope to make these abuses on a sentient being more visible to the authorities and urge them to take stern actions against people capturing snakes and the temples where this ritual is still carried on. The wildlife authorities need to be more stern and active during the month of Nag Panchmi, to ensure that snakes are not harmed. People need to be educated about the long term consequences of these rituals and traditions.

Let's make our traditions and rituals more environment friendly and let’s learn to peacefully coexist with these marvellous creatures.