@optimist 17 May 2021 more from that month

How many times have I been to India, and only now I found out about Nag Panchami, the day when snakes don't bite people. The reasons for this are inexplicable and go all the way back to ancient times, when the Indian gods lived among humans. An acquaintance from Goa, Andrew Griffon, shared video and photos from last year's celebration, which were taken in Vrindavan, the "city of 5000 temples," a place of pilgrimage for followers of Vaishnavism. He himself has been traveling in India for 12 years and has seen and learned a lot. Nag Panchami is a holiday when snakes are worshipped in India and Nepal. On this day you can pick up snakes without fear of being bitten by even the biggest cobra. On this day, snake-worshippers purposely go into the jungle and carry snakes out in bundles by their tails. On all other days, the same snake handlers catch snakes in or near dwellings and carry them back into the jungle. It is not customary to kill snakes in India and is done only as a last resort. India, Vrindavan, 2019 #Photography