Indian Fair pays tribute to snake goddess

A 130-year-old festival aims to educate locals about the snakes that live in their backyards. In India, there is a reason to have hesitation of some snakes; even reptile folks would need to double check closely before reaching out and just grabbing the snake on the ground. Kraits and Cobras are not things of child's play. From the Times of India:

"Legend goes that gunins and ojhas used to worship the snake goddess on this day. Snakebites were very common in these parts. The ojhas and gunins were the ones who used to treat the victims. During the fair, the goddess was worshipped and snakes were made to perform. That tradition has stayed on," said Subodh Patra, a descendant of Jhatunath Patra. A postal department employee, Subodh is now one of leading figures in the fair and a rescuer of snakes. "We rescue the snakes, look after them throughout the year and then release them. Snakes are a very important part of our environment. Through the fair, we try to educate and inform the people about the different kinds of snakes. Not all snakes are poisonous but people have misconceptions," he explained. During the year, Subodh and other villagers are on the lookout for poisonous snakes and cases of snakebites in the adjoining villages. The snakes are caught and their fangs taken out (in most of the snakes), they are kept for the rest of year and then released in forests or rivers.

The festival pays tribute to Manasa, the snake goddess. To read more, click here.