Updated: August 19, 2013, 12:00 AM
In pictures: India's snake festival
An Indian snake charmer displays a 'gokhra' - cobra - in a basket for passers by at a snake fair at Purba Bishnupur village, around 85 kms north of Kolkata on August 17, 2013. Hundreds of people queued in a remote village in eastern India over the weekend to receive blessings from metres-long and potentially deadly snakes, thought to bring them good luck. AFP PHOTO/Dibyangshu SARKAR *** Local Caption *** 761195-01-08.jpg
Indian villagers cross a field to attend a snake fair at Purba Bishnupur village. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
An Indian snake charmer displays a 'gokhra' - cobra - in a basket for passers. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
Indian snake charmers perform with 'gokhras' - cobras - in baskets for passers by at a snake fair. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
An Indian snake charmer performs with a 'gokhra' - cobra - in a basket for passers by. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
An Indian snake charmer performs with a 'gokhra' - cobra - in his mouth for passers by at a snake fair. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
An Indian snake charmer performs with a 'gokhra' - cobra - in a basket for passers by at a snake fair. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
An Indian snake charmer displays a variety of 'gokhras' - cobras - to passers by at a snake fair at Purba Bishnupur village, around 85 kms north of Kolkata. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
An Indian snake charmer displays a variety of 'gokhras' - cobras - to passers by at a snake fair. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
An Indian snake charmer displays a 'gokhra' - cobra - to passesrs by at a snake fair. AFP PHOTO/Dibyangshu SARKAR
An Indian snake charmer performs with 'gokhras' - cobras - at a snake fair at Purba Bishnupur village. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR
An Indian snake charmer displays a 'gokhra' - cobra - to passersby at a snake fair. AFP PHOTO / Dibyangshu SARKAR