The snake that is resting on this Naga Sadhu’s head is called a red sand boa and is commonly referred to as the two-headed snake. It is not the same as a bicephalous snake but has a tail which appears head-like. There are several superstitions attached to it, one of which is that it brings good luck to its owner and cures several diseases. This superstition has endangered the species and resulted in illegal trading for it. In these illegal markets, these snakes are purchased at exorbitant rates. Officially, it is a protected species.
Read more: Sadhu
Joshi Daniel Photography 
Interesting…
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Wow! Great capture and story!
I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t catch me with that boa ony head!!!!!
Beautiful image! Didn’t know that sand boas are considered lucky. Thanks for the dope. :)
Dramatic composition – the headdress and necklace details look great as well.
wow what an interesting image
Oh, my. Not a fan of snakes but I do like your image and story.
captivating image.
Wow! Wow! Great snap :D I love listening to myths & stories about snakes. :)
i love it <3
Very captivating.
Wow…. Awesome capture!!! And amazing story!!
I love this image, I could look at it for ages. It is one that makes me want to visit and see for myself. Most of all though, I like that you have included a story and history with this image. Like so many other animals, it is a shame this snake is endangered due to cultural beliefs/superstitions.
What a curious capture! I love it mostly because it sums up the entire mysterious and esoteric aura around the Sadhu! :D Not to mention, the beautiful sand boa ups the surreal nature of the image. <3
Striking image and intriguing story… Absolutely love it!
Amazing!
A great portrait, what a moment!
Happy New Year to you!
Oh My God!
Nice photo….I ve seen them in Varanasi,very scary and rude people….
I do not know it stand for luckiness, thanks . By the way, I am afraid of snakes even they are beautiful I guess
Officially lots of stuff happens in India….
I think I’ll just leave it alone, Joshi, if you don’t mind. No chance of it becoming “endangered” by me, for sure. (sigh)
Oh what a photo Joshi!
Amazing picture Joshi!
great portrait and informations , i wish you a very good year without the help of a snake ;)
Scary it is! I am sure you must have felt it as well.
Nice capture and an interesting information.
Awesome portrait.
perfect
why do we have to endanger everything special in the animal world ? But a great photo Joshi
Wow!!
Well does not look it brought much luck to the sadhu.
A beautiful pic though
awesome click Joshi!! ………………strange souls and a great capture
Amazing pic,is it not poisonous i wonder?
Nice
fascinating insight thanks
Great shot.
Thanks for that info on the two-headed snake.
And Happy New year to you, Joshi. :)
WOW! Terrific shot!
Happy New year to you and yours
Beautiful portrait of sadhu! beautiful hair
incredible image!!
That’s a cracking image and story Josh
I Love the unique beauty of snakes. Thank You for sharing the mystery of the red sand boa… visually and in words. Another exquisite photograph!
Have a lovely 2015,
Lee
AWESOME !
Sending best wishes for a most peaceful new year. Eddie
Joshi this stunning capture will stay with me for some time. Thank you for the explanation as well.
Stunning photo and most interesting details,dear Joshi ! Indeed,there are some species of snakes that have a poison which is the right medicine for certain diseases.
Amazing capture! :)
Have mercy. I wouldn’t stand within two miles of a snake, but this man and his snake make an intriguing picture. <3
gorgeous, Daniel!:)
Terrific.
Incredible capture …. perfect !!!!
Love your portraits! Beautiful and inspiring work!
Wow !
Really love the picture. Something about this picture seem so haunting.
Great pic, would love to see more of the snake.
i think that’s why they say its happen only in India.
Wonderful photograph! I love your portrait work.
This is such an original picture… I love it…
Amazing photo!
Fantastic photo!
I have only seen two-headed snakes and three-tailed geckos in photos. Never in real life, and I’d love to.
OMG! Terrific capture.
thanks for bringing up this nice picture….
Scary
wow ! amazing and terrific
Amazing !
incredible photo!!
Stunning portrait! The colours are just divine!
Beautiful image!
oh impressionnant
incredible
amazing pic
whoaaa! awesome capture!
That certainly makes a statement.
Oh my!
stunning!
Extraordinary ! How fascinating this is Joshi .
An amazing image indeed!
A great composition!
(Happy New Year and many great pix!)
Brian
Oh my … so much in this post. An incredible photo, of course, but also the information about the snake. Fascinating (but never going on my head :-) )
This is a fascinating image!
Yikes! Snake on his head! Quite scary actually!
Wow!
For me this is a amazing picture, very exotic, very different from what we find in our culture. I like very much.
hugs
Excellent !!!!!!
(Happy New Year !!!)
Great blog you’ve got here! Some stunning pictures. :)
Profound photograph!
Excellent portrait.
Je suis Charlie.
Lovely image.
This would make a good fantasy illustration. Nice shot!
Pretty scary, if you ask me :)
Amazing, i like it
Great image but sad that yet another superstition is wiping out another species.
Vivid and intense – thank you for the back story, very interesting
awesome photo–one of your best
Looking so interesting!
Have a nice week end!
Photographer Gil Zetbase
A gorgeous portrait. Love the texture and the colors.
Every picture I’ve seen on your blog is a story in itself. Absolutely terrific job.
A powerful image. Intriguing, beautiful and strange.
Such a rich, exciting portrait Joshi!