Most people's instinctive reaction on seeing a snake is to step back and move away in fear. But there is one village where the picture is quite different. There, nobody panics on seeing a venomous cobra; snakes are simply accepted as part of daily life.

The village is called Shetphal and lies in Solapur district of Maharashtra, India. It is widely known at home and abroad as the "snake village" or the "Snake Village of India".

People in Shetphal have a very deep relationship with venomous cobras. Coming face to face with one is no cause for alarm. Residents feel a kind of spiritual connection with the snakes and regard them with great respect instead of fear.

Most surprising of all, every house in the village keeps a special place for the snakes. This nook or small chamber, made in one corner of the house, is known locally as the snakes' sacred resting place, and the snakes shelter there undisturbed.

Shetphal is an agricultural village, and most of its people are engaged in farming. Cobras can be seen moving freely through yards, across floors and along the lanes. They are allowed to roam as freely as members of the household.

This way of life is based on beliefs and rituals handed down over many generations. In Hindu religious culture there is a tradition of snake worship, especially at festivals such as Nag Panchami, but in Shetphal it is not limited to festival days; it has become a daily habit. Villagers say that because of this mutual respect, the snakes never harm them.

Every year many tourists and curious people from India and abroad come to see the village, but there are some important things to keep in mind before going.

First, visitors must show full respect for local traditions and beliefs. Getting carried away after watching villagers handle snakes, and trying to catch or disturb them, is strictly forbidden. Locals may understand the snakes' behaviour, but cobras can be very dangerous for tourists, so a safe distance should always be kept.

Visitors should not make loud noise when walking through the village, as this can startle a snake into attacking. Wearing closed shoes rather than walking barefoot in the narrow lanes and dirt tracks is mandatory. In any situation, it is wise to follow the villagers' advice.

The story draws on reports by NDTV and Firstpost.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.