17 Cobras Rescued as Devotees Mark Nagapanchami Festival

People in Hyderabad celebrated a festival called Nagapanchami, where they pray to snakes.

Many went to temples to offer milk, eggs, fruits and flowers.

Some people called snake charmers caught real snakes to make money from the festival.

That is not allowed because snakes are protected by law.

Forest officers and a group called Friends of Snakes Society worked together to save 17 cobras.

They also put special teams in three districts to watch for people catching snakes.

Officers told people that giving milk to snakes is bad for them because snakes cannot digest it.

The rescued snakes will be checked by doctors and set free in safe forests if they are healthy.

Everyone was asked to tell the forest department if they see someone with a live snake.