A tribal community in Ranchi was seen getting their bodies pierced and performing deadly stunts with snakes and fire to appease a snake goddess. Devotees thronged temples to pray to Hindu serpentine deity, Manasa Devi after which they took out processions. They performed bizarre actions including putting snakes into their mouths, holding them around their shoulders, biting the snakes and cutting their scales.
According to a devotee, it is a tradition that by worshipping the snake goddess, no poisonous snake would bite them. People worship snake or serpent deities during the monsoon season at a time when the snakes are more active, leaving their nesting ground. Devotees also make offerings, including milk and flowers to the idol.
