Jhapan - a festival of Bankura, West Bengal

Jhapan is the principal festival of Vishnupur, Bankura. West Bengal is the state of great paddy fields and rivers. Snake worship is very popular among the people of Vishnupur. There are a number of occasions when worship of snakes is specifically observed.

Jhapan is the occasion that makes the people worship snakes. According to Hindu mythology, Goddess Manasa, the daughter of Lord Shiva, is known as the Goddess of Snakes.

People worship this Goddess so that the fertility of the land increases and good harvest can be yielded. Besides this, other local occasions like stage shows of local plays and different snake shows by local snake charmers are also organized.