Assam: Creepy crawlies amaze devotees at Panikhaiti

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Link: http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=feb2107\City5

 

Creepy crawlies amaze devotees at Panikhaiti

 

By A Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Feb 20 – It was literally a snake invasion on Maha

Shivaratri at Panikhaiti, with swarms of the slithery reptiles making

a sudden appearance at Hatisila area, on Friday, as if to pay

obeisance to Lord Shiva on the auspicious occasion.

 

The people who stood witness to the strange phenomenon were

awe-struck. Many, particularly those with a devotional inclination,

held the spectacle as one created by Lord Shiva himself and offered

their prayers before the snake gods. According to them, the fact that

the manifestation of so many snakes coincided with the Maha Shivratri

day lend credence to their conjecture.

 

The news of the spectacle immediately spread and big crowds gathered

to witness the scene. Later, Forest Department personnel came to the

sight and rescued the snakes.

 

Police, however, said that after a number of snakes had appeared by

the roadside, one was run over by a vehicle. Then a person caught some

of the snakes and carried them in a sack before leaving them open near

for public display. " The Forest personnel later came and took the

snakes away, " he said, adding that none received any snakebite. He

said that the snakes were mainly of two varieties, python and goala.