Budh Nath from the Jogi Nath Sapera (snake charmers community) from Jodhpur in Rajasthan North India blows his Pungi (horn)
Once an icon of Indian culture snake charmers struggle for survival Only about one million remain in India victims of the stringent Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 Snake charming is an inherited profession partly due to India s caste system The reptiles are inextricably intertwined with the Sapera or Sapuakela castes Revered and reviled snakes have a special place in Hinduism During the snake festival of Nag Panchimi in July August cobras are worshipped fed with rats and milk and eventually set Snake charmers were traditional healers who treated snakebite and with their vast knowledge of herbal medicines also treated skin infections gastric and menstrual problems asthma and paralysis The men travel in groups often for three months at a stretch They usually wear saffron their heads anointed by turbans in blazing orange fiery red or shimmering pink The charmer walks the streets with his Been or traditional Indian flute made from a dried bottle gourd plant and two cane baskets or pots containing a cobra and an earth boa hanging from a bamboo pole slung over the shoulder The Indian cobra is preferred though some charmers may also use Russell s vipers Indian and Burmese pythons are also encountered The snake charmer usually rouses a snake by blowing a Pungi horn or a Been
Size: 3498px × 5361px
Location: Delhi, India, Asia
Photo credit: © Ladi Kirn / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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