Python goes shopping, spotted coiled near statue of Lord Shiva in shop

Haridwar: A strange incident occurred in Haridwar’s sacred Har Ki Pauri area when a python ventured into a shop selling gems and conch shells at Subhash Ghat. The snake’s presence was unknown to the owner until shoppers visited, and he began to show his goods. That is when he noticed the approximately 6-foot-python curled up along with the conch shells on the counter. The sudden appearance of the python had everyone in the shop stunned.

The calm state of the python was noticeable, especially as it sat respectfully beside a statue of Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva supposedly loves snakes, and everybody feels that this unusual meeting reflects so. As soon as news spread that the python was there, a group of people had gathered outside the store, attracted by the strange spectacle.

Fortunately, pythons are not typically aggressive to humans unless provoked. These snakes kill their prey through constriction, and smaller species are of little danger to humans. However, larger pythons like reticulated or Burmese pythons can be strong and warrant caution.

Informed instantly, the forest department’s QRT team arrived and successfully retrieved the python, releasing it back into the jungle later. The incident has raised questions about the unexpected meetings between people and wild animals, even in sacred places like Haridwar.