India blesses its snakes as charmers face the venom of modern life

Milk -- a traditional tribute -- is poured on the snakes' faces, as the charmers play music.-AFP

Allahabad (India) (AFP) - Officially the snake charmers' profession is banned in India, but its devotees were at the centre of prayers and milk blessings offered to cobras and other deadly serpents in an annual tribute Friday.

The country's 800,000 charmers and their young apprentices come to the fore each year for the centuries-old Nag Panchami festival, celebrated in honour of a serpent god prominent in Hindu mythology.