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Holy snake
The snake  has a special place in many cultures. For the ancient Egyptians, a two-headed snake guarded  the underworld. It was a snake that tempted Eve in the Bible. And even dragons were often called 'snakes' in ancient legends.
But for most people today, snakes are just snakes. One place they are still worshipped is India. 
India is  known for worshipping cows. But the snake is the second holiest animal. 
In Sanskrit, one of India's official languages, one of the words for snake is naga. But naga can also mean King Cobra - the world's longest poisonous snake.
Home of the snake
Snake worship i most common in the south of India. In the state of Kerala, for example, people used to set aside part of their garden for snakes. This was called a sarpa kaavu - 'home of the snake'.  
There is still a temple where snakes are worshipped in Kerala. The temple is called Mannaarsaala. Its grounds have hundreds of snakes carved in stone. 
The temple is led by a priestess. People believe that she is the wife of the snake king, Nagaraj - raja means 'king' in Sanskrit. 
There is a statue of him inside the temple.
Nag Panchami
In July or August, Hindus all over India celebrate Nag Panchami. This is the time of the year snakes come out. The festival remembers the Hindu god Krishna's victory over a terrifying serpent. 
But some experts say the festival started because people living in the countryside wanted to avoid being bitten by snakes. 
The biggest celebration is held in a village called Baltis Shirale in Maharashtra state.  Villagers collect snakes. They put them in clay jars and feed them with rats and milk. Even though the snakes are very poisonous, it is said nobody ever gets bitten. 
On the day of the festival, the villagers walk to a local naga temple with the clay pots on their heads, and pay their respects by offering food. In other parts of India, people make offerings of milk, rice and silver jewellery. In many parts of the country, people go without food. It is also forbidden to plough fields because this might disturb the snakes.
now do this
1 The holy snake in India is known as a ...
a. naga 
b. Krishna 
c. Raja
2 Nag Panchami is ...
a. a temple in Kerala. 
b. a temple in Maharashtra state.
c. a nationwide festival.
3 During the snake festival, people make offerings of milk and rice and ... to snakes.
a. rats 
b. silver jewellery 
c. clay jars
Answers:
February 22
1. b, 2. a, 3. c



Snake worship