Archive · 18 Aug 2026
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.
Devotees gathered at Shiva and Nagadevatha temples in Hyderabad on Monday to mark Nagapanchami with offerings of milk, eggs, fruits, flowers and turmeric.
A joint operation by the Friends of Snakes Society and the Telangana Forest Department rescued 17 cobras from snake charmers exploiting the festival.
Eight special teams were deployed in Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Sangareddy districts, with about 25 Friends of Snakes Society members assisting.
Officials warned that feeding milk to snakes is harmful because snakes cannot digest it and may fall seriously ill.
Rescued snakes will be treated and, if healthy, released into safe forest areas; capturing or transporting snakes illegally is punishable under the Wildlife Protection Act.
- Who
- Devotees, snake charmers, the Friends of Snakes Society and the Telangana Forest Department
- What
- Seventeen cobras were rescued from snake charmers during Nagapanchami celebrations
- When
- Monday, during the Nagapanchami festival
- Where
- Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Sangareddy districts in Telangana
- Why
- Snake charmers exploited the festival by capturing snakes for worship, prompting enforcement of wildlife protection laws
- Festival
- Nagapanchami
- Snakes rescued
- 17 cobras
- Rescue operation
- Joint operation by Friends of Snakes Society and Telangana Forest Department
- Special teams deployed
- 8 teams in Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and Sangareddy districts
- Volunteers assisting
- About 25 members of Friends of Snakes Society
- Offerings made
- Milk, eggs, fruits, flowers and turmeric
- Legal protection
- Wildlife Protection Act
- Fate of rescued snakes
- Treated and released into safe forest areas if healthy