Snake charmers show skills at Hindu Jhapan festival

A snake charmer handles a poisonous snake during Jhapan festival in Bishanupur, about 200 km (123 miles) west of Kolkata, Aug. 17, 2008. The annual Hindu festival honours the Hindu snake goddess Manasha.

A snake charmer handles a poisonous snake during Jhapan festival in Bishanupur, about 200 km (123 miles) west of Kolkata, Aug. 17, 2008

A woman carries an idol of the Hindu snake goddess Manasha during the Jhapan festival in Bishanupur, about 200 km (123 miles) west from Kolkata, Aug. 17, 2008

An Indian snake charmer holds a poisonous snake in his mouth during the Jhapan festival in Bishanupur, about 200 km (123 miles) west from Kolkata, Aug. 17, 2008

A woman snake charmer handles a poisonous snake during the Jhapan festival in Bishanupur, about 200 km (123 miles) west from Kolkata, Aug. 17, 2008.