(IN): Unwanted snaky visitor gives CM the jitters

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Link:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Cities/Snake_gives_creeps_to_Ktaka_CM/article\

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*Unwanted snaky visitor gives CM the jitters*

14 Sep 2008, 0450 hrs IST,TNN

 

BANGALORE: Besides his detractors, both inside and outside the BJP, chief

minister B S Yeddyurappa has had to deal with an unwanted guest - a king

cobra at his house.

 

As many believe it to be a 'bad omen,' the god-fearing and superstitious

Yeddyurappa is worried. What is worse, the snake is yet to be traced.

 

The cobra was seen twice in two days, scaring employees out of their wits.

Gardener Shivalingaiah first spotted the snake, which raised its hood and

hissed. The terrified man not only ran away from the house but from

Bangalore itself!

 

The snake resurfaced on Saturday, and employees immediately informed the

police, who in turn, sought BBMP's help.

Around 2 pm, Sharath Babu, environmental adviser to BBMP (forest cell),

rushed to the spot and searched for the snake. But it was all in vain.

 

" Snake hideouts are flooded during monsoon. So, it's quite natural for them

to surface on the ground. Moreover, the area around CM's house has a lot of

space and greenery, " Sharath Babu said.

 

He said it would be difficult to make the area snake-free as garbage

attracts rodents, which in turn, will lure snakes. As of now, employees have

been told to be alert, move around with a stick and not to go near bushes

and a dilapidated house on the premises.

 

Bad omen?

 

There are several myths associated with spotting snakes. Sharath, who gets

an average of 40 calls a day, said: " Superstitious beliefs vary from person

to person. Some believe spotting a king cobra is good omen, but raising its

hood is a warning that something bad will happen. Rat snakes are considered

bad omen. "

 

Astrologer K N Somayaji told STOI it's indeed a bad omen and the CM should

perform sarpa samskara as early as possible. " Else, it would be bad for him.

I had told the same thing to former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda when a

snake was found in his house. "

 

A rat snake was spotted in Gowda's residence at Padmanabhnagar some months

ago. Gowda then invited 101 priests from Kerala and performed shanti to his

house.

 

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