By M. EKHLAQUE Edited By: Shashank Baranwal Updated: Sun, 19 Oct 2025 02:44 (IST) There is a lot of buzz in Potka about Mother Mansa’s visit to Japan. The villagers dance and sing while riding chariots with poisonous snakes. This journey is an important part of the worship of Maa Mansa, in which devotees come to seek blessings. During this time, the dance of the villagers with the snakes amazes the spectators. Every year a huge crowd of devotees gather in this unique festival. In this village of Jamshedpur, villagers dance and sing while riding chariots. Photo Jagran Samvad Sutra, Potka (East Singhbhum). Have you ever seen poisonous snakes roaming freely on chariots? That too in the middle of town, in front of a crowd of thousands of people? If not, you should definitely visit the Shankarada village of West Singhbhum, where Jhapan Yatra is organized every year for the worship of Maa Mansa – an event where snakes are not feared but worshipped. Remove Advertisement Only Read News Tradition, which is hundreds of years old, Maa Mansa has been worshiped for hundreds of years in this village along the Jharkhand-Bengal border. The villagers have unwavering faith that since this puja started, no one has died due to snakebite and this belief makes this event unique. When the snakes danced after getting on the chariot, during this time’s visit to Jhapan, three exorcists from Purulia played with the venomous snakes brought along in such a way that even the spectators were left breathless. The exorcists mounted the chariot and offered puja, dance and tableau with snakes, called ‘Jhapaan’ in the local language. Fans gathered not only from the village but also from the surrounding districts to see it. Commenced with the Kalash Yatra, adorned with reverence, the entire event began with the Kalash Yatra filled with water from the river, where women in traditional dress carry the Kalash on their heads. After this begins Jhapan Yatra – a lively confluence of faith, drama and snakes. Town becomes temple, faith in every street. Statues of Maa Mansa have been installed at more than 6 places in the village. There are lamps, incense and echoes of mantras in every puja pandal. Tremendous devotion to the beat of drums and devotion to the mother is visible on every face. Why is it special? Religious ceremonies with snakes are held only in some places in the country. There is a lively display of tradition and folk culture. This event is a symbol of rural faith, security and coexistence with nature. A large number of villagers participate in this event.
Potkas maa mansa jhapan yatra villagers dance and sing while riding a chariot with poisonous snakes – potkas maa mansa jhapan yatra villagers dance with poisonous snakes
