Another ancient Snake Charmer's skill – locating medicinal herbs Saperas are also traditional heelers. They have learnt to identify many medicinal plants, how to prepare traditional medicines, and to treat people for a variety of ailments from eye disorders, stomach complaints to snake bites

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One of the major attractions for tourists visiting India has been to see first hand India’s Snake Charmers performing their mystical craft. For generations, India’s snake charmers have been entertainers. Entertaining kings and emperors with their music and snakes, Snake Charmers are revered by millions of Hindus around the world. This is because Snake Charmers are considered to be direct descendants of Lord Shiva, the Hindu God with the Cobra coiled around his neck. The traditions of India’s Snake Charmers, or Saperas, as they are often referred to, have been handed down from their forefathers - father to son for millennia. India without Snake Charmers would be like India without the Taj Mahal – unbelievable. Unbelievable or not, India’s snake charmers can no longer perform their ancient craft, it has come to an end and now they have to seek alternate means to earn a living.

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Size: 2592px × 3872px
Location: India, State of Haryana
Photo credit: © Adrian Page / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: baisakhi, blue, brown, field, green, habitat, man, pink, saffron, soil, spade, tool, turban, white