However, about 200 km from Pune, Maharashtra, in the Sholapur district, is located a village named Shetpal. Here, cobra snakes have a permanent abode in each and every house; snakes are worshipped daily in every heart and home in this village!
The people of Shetpal have gone a step ahead in their liking for the venomous co-residents by building devasthanam (abode of the deity) in their home. A special corner in the house is set aside, exclusively for the cobras to come and cool off at any time they wish. If anyone in the village constructs a new house, he makes sure to devote a hollow portion of the dwelling as devasthanam for the snakes.
Snakes are treated as pets in this village, and even visit the schools when a class is in progress. And guess what, the children never fear these crawling visitors, because they have been raised to co-dwell fearlessly and happily with the snakes! They not only let the snakes hangout, but also let kids play with the creatures at times.
If you are wondering whether there has been any incident of snake bites in this village, the answer is a ‘no’! So far, no incident of snake bite has been reported in this village.
Apparently, any outsider will find it hard to cope up co-existing with the cobras in Shetpal. But, if you really wish to befriend them, all you would need is some milk, eggs, and lots of goodwill!
The origin of this practice in the village is unknown yet. If this has you fascinated, do know that you can visit it by alighting at Modnimb Railway Station in Maharashtra or by boarding a flight to Pune Airport, and then hiring a cab to Shetpal from there.
