Pankaj Oudhia

When I reached to meet senior snake expert Shri Ganesh, he was treating victim of snake bite. The victim was farmer and got cobra bite while working in fields. At first he was referred to nearby hospital but seeing its condition medical experts said that there is no chance. Instead of waiting for death, on someone’s suggestion his relatives brought him to Shri Ganesh. When farmer reached to Ganesh’s village he was not in position to take internal remedies. Shri Ganesh called his students and followers and started sucking venom from affected part. They were doing this job one by one. Within half an hour farmer started feeling well and in few hours returned back to work. It was not less than miracle for me. After completing the great job Shri Ganesh and his flowers applied cow ghee with selected herbs inside mouth and started treating other victims.

Shri Ganesh is in his sixties. He is practicing this traditional knowledge from his adulthood when snake population as well as diversity was present in surroundings. He remembers that application of Aldrin in crop fields earlier and now agrochemicals like Hinosan and Phorate are killing snakes of all species in large number. This decrease in population resulted in higher population of rats and Newla. Earlier when organic farming was in practice snakes were present in large numbers and playing the role assigned by Mother Nature.

Shri Ganesh is having over 250 followers. These followers are practicing this knowledge in different parts of Indian state Chhattisgarh. They take nominal fees of one rupee and a coconut fruit. They are not recognized by the state authorities and that is why they face legal actions time to time. Instead of all odds they are practicing this traditional knowledge and saving lives. Shri Ganesh alone has saved thousands of lives. He is well known in the region. The natives informed that since many decades no one has died due to snake bite in the region. Many times patients and their relatives intentionally don’t give fees. But Shri Ganesh has no complaint with them. His wish is to construct one temple i.e. Naag Mandir in village so that new followers can practice their knowledge in its campus. He requested the state authorities for financial help but failed to get anything except assurance. Plinth of temple is ready through the expenses of his followers but he wishes to see complete temple before final rest.

When I started interaction with him, he showed surprise as why researcher from far place is taking keen interest in this traditional knowledge. He informed that I was the first person from research side who came for interaction. We discussed much on herbs and herbal combinations useful in such cases. I shared my experiences collected from different part of

India. I have mentioned in previous research articles that the Traditional Healers of Sarguja region keep roots of Mimosa sp. inside mouth while sucking venom. They claim that juice of this herb protects the inner linings of mouth from toxin. Shri Ganesh thanked me and informed that he uses ten different herbal combinations with cow ghee based on the condition of patients. Patients are suggested to take plenty of cow ghee in order to nullify after effects. It is suggested even after use of anti-venom. I visited to nearby forest with him and collected so many herbs. He showed me an herb locally known as Piyali Kand. Its tubers are given to patients if they are in condition to take it. Shri Ganesh claimed that if patients consume it successfully there is no need of sucking and very soon they feel relief. Later the natives informed that as per instruction of Shri Ganesh they collect this herb from forest on Rishipanchami festival and consume it in bulk on that day. It is believed that this one day consumption protects human body round the year from all types of venomous creatures and its bad effects. It also increases natural resistance. It is consumed with other herbs also.

Why you suck venom from blood? It can take your life? I asked. He replied that best method is the use of internal remedies. Sucking is last resort. They can flush the venom out with the help of deep cut made in affected part but in order to avoid legal complexities in case of failure, they take risk of sucking blood having venom. His follower showed injured tongue. There were deep cracks in it. Regular sucking affects taste bud instead of all precautions. Shri Ganesh was once invited by Modern Medical Institute of Raipur. It is well known institute in the state. He sucked venom in front of medical experts and saved the life of patient having no hope. Before sucking the experts warned him to think twice before doing it as it is not safe medically but he performed the job and saved life.

The official record states that hundreds of people die due to snake bite in Indian state Chhattisgarh. In urban areas natives kill snakes without confirming whether it is poisonous or non-poisonous, without any delay. Traditional snake experts like Shri Ganesh can play a vital role in creating awareness about snakes in the state. As mentioned earlier his hundreds of followers are already doing this holy work. There is need to support and encourage them. They are not quacks. They are real experts.

On invitation of Shri Ganesh I visited once more to his village on Rishipanchami festival. On this day his followers gather in village and honor their Guru. They bring variety of snakes with them and show their expertise in front of Shri Ganesh. Based on their performances Shri Ganesh gives his remarks and blessings. On this day they drink snake venom and also share knowledge about herbs. I accepted his invitation and on September 4, 2008 visited to his village.

At first, followers honored Shri Ganesh and then all of them worshipped snake God. In morning they demonstrated their skill and took snake venom with cooked rice. In noon in form of procession they passed through Main Street of village. It was amazing experience for me. I took hundreds of pictures and also prepared a film on it. During interaction Shri Ganesh showed me many spots of snake bite in his different body parts. In this great occasion he was cool and calm and accepting the wishes of followers and natives.

Keep reading my research articles for updates.

Related References

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snakes Are Managed Through Snake Attractant and Repellents Herbs. http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Possible ways of managing poisonous snakes in urban homes. http://www.Ecoport.org        

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Possible ways of managing Scorpion and its deadly sting through traditional medicinal knowledge. http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Go to Jungle but be careful. http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Are you aware of unique traditional ways of herb application? http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Traditional medicinal knowledge about common herbs used against venomous creatures snakes and scorpions in Chhattisgarh (India): New comments. http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). The search for rare herbs in Chhattisgarh, India : New comments. http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). The search for Bhoolan Jadi, a short time memory eraser herb, in Chhattisgarh, India : New comments. http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). My Experiments and Experiences with Homoeopathy in treatment of Snakebite. http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Ethnoveterinary Formulations of Chhattisgarh, India. 1-300. (Compilation of Extended Summaries) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Interesting interactions with the Herb Sellers and Users during famous Sirpur Mela of Indian state Chhattisgarh. http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). One day with Snake Charmers cum Herb Sellers at Rajim Mela of Indian state Chhattisgarh. http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Bastar district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Bilaspur district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Dantewada district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Dhamtari district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Durg district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Janjgir-Champa district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Jashpur district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Kanker district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Kawardha district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Korba district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Koriya district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Mahasamund district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Raigarh district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Raipur district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Rajnandgaon district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Oudhia, P. (2005-2007). Snake diversity in Sarguja district of Indian state Chhattisgarh. (With colored pictures, local names etc.) http://www.Ecoport.org

Useful Links

http://pick5.pick.uga.edu/mp/20p?see=I_PAO1145&res=640

© Pankaj Oudhia 2008