Pilgrims with roses worship a snake shrine while a Brahmin priest and attendants pray during a snake festival. Gouache drawing.

The term "Nāga" in indian mythology is a general term for both snake and elephant. It is also the term used for a devotee of an Indian snake-cult, of which there are many shrines found all over India, particularly in the South, Bengal and Assam. Snake-festivals are held over various times of the year according to local customs