Hindu belief has it that Shiv wears a serpent as a garland to symbolise his control over all creatures, behaviours and passions. This is why the legend of the snake is inextricably coiled with Shiv worship.

On Sunday, a dozen snake charmers from Kanpur thronged the entrance gates of Pahari Mandir at the foot of Ranchi Hill with cobras, pythons, kraits and other reptile species, attracting thousands of devotees and onlookers.

With Nag Panchami falling on Sunday, scores of elderly women also offered milk to cobras and worshipped snakes on display at the site.

But, few people knew snake-charmers with endangered species illegally caught and cruelly de-fanged for public display, violated wildlife laws.

Kamlesh Pandey, Ranchi divisional forest officer (wildlife), told The Telegraph on Sunday that displaying snakes as illegal. "Python and cobra are endangered wildlife species. Though displaying reptiles is an age-old practice, keeping snakes in captivity and their public display is prohibited under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, amended in 2003 with stricter penalty. Whatever is happening is illegal," he said.

Also, under Section 11 (1) (a) to (o) of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, an Act of the Parliament of India, beating, over-riding, keeping or confining any animal in any cage, mutilating or killing any animal, among many others, amounts to cruelty on animals and is punishable by law.

Referring to the throng of snake charmers at Pahari Mandir, Rajiv Lochan Bakshi, Ranchi divisional forest officer and territorial wildlife warden, said he would check the site for appropriate action.

Asked why he was at the site, Ratan Kumar, a resident of Ratu Road, Ranchi, said he wanted his sons, students of Classes III and IV, to see cobras live. "In the present-day apartment culture without lawns or open spaces, children hardly know anything about snakes. So, I was showing them these creatures," said the man who did not know public display of these reptiles was illegal.

Snake charmer Pintu Sapera, busy showing reptiles at a cost of Rs 50 for a peek, told this correspondent frankly: " Hum to saanp dikhane baithe hain, paisa nahin lene se kaise chalega (We are here to show snakes, how will we manage if we don't take money)."

A little prodding revealed Pintu and his colleagues were vaguely aware of wildlife rules. "Yes, we heard this is against some law. But, we need government support to switch over to some other job. Otherwise, we will all starve," he said.

Somvari cleaning

Mayor Asha Lakra on Sunday instructed Ranchi Municipal Corporation's health wing to ensure Subernarekha ghats and surroundings of Pahadi temple and approaching roads were cleaned meticulously and all potholes closed keeping in mind Monday, the third Somvari of the holy Shravan.

How can awareness be spread against displaying reptiles?

Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com