15-Foot King Cobra Causes Panic in Haridwar; Devotees Terrified During Ganga Bath — Watch Video
Haridwar (The Uttam Hindu): Panic spread across Haridwar’s Chandi Ghat area on Sunday morning when a massive King Cobra suddenly appeared among devotees taking a holy dip in the Ganga. The snake, estimated to be 13 to 15 feet long, caused chaos at the ghat as frightened people began running in all directions.
Devotees Shocked to See Giant Cobra
According to eyewitnesses, the morning atmosphere was peaceful and devotional as usual. Hundreds of devotees were performing the sacred ritual of bathing in the Ganga when they spotted the enormous snake slithering along the riverbank. Seeing such a large and intimidating cobra up close left everyone stunned and breathless.
As soon as the cobra was noticed, panic gripped the crowd at the ghat. Some devotees rushed out of the water in fear, while others stayed back at a distance, recording the incident on their mobile phones. One bystander said, “We’ve only seen snakes like this on TV, never in real life.”
Forest Department Conducts Risky Rescue Operation
People at the ghat immediately informed the Forest Department about the situation. A rescue team arrived shortly after and first advised everyone to maintain a safe distance.
Given the size and strength of the King Cobra, the rescue operation was not easy. Using special equipment, the team began the operation with extreme caution. After nearly an hour of effort, the giant King Cobra was safely captured.
Experts Say Cobra Might Have Drifted From the Forest
One of the rescue team members confirmed that it was indeed a King Cobra, one of the most venomous snakes in the world. He added that the snake likely wandered out of the forest, possibly due to rain or flooding in the area.
Once the cobra was secured in a protective cloth bag, devotees finally breathed a sigh of relief. Many of them referred to the serpent as “Nagraj,” a divine symbol of Lord Shiva, calling its appearance an auspicious sign.