Sangli, Aug. 17 -- The traditional Nag Panchami festival is being celebrated at Battis-Shirala in Shirala tehsil of Sangli district on Monday with devotees being allowed to have darshan of and perform puja of 41 live snakes under special permission from the Central Environment Department, State Government and Forest Department.
The festival, known for its traditional worship of live snakes and a procession, has been celebrated on a large scale in Battis-Shirala for several years. However, it was largely scaled down after the Supreme Court imposed a ban on the worship, exhibition and procession of live snakes in public places in 2014.
This year, authorities granted symbolic permission to only 21 villagers to allow devotees to have darshan ...