LUCKNOW: A snake charmer and his son lost their lives after being bitten by a cobra during a live snake-handling performance at a Durga Puja pandal in Barabanki district late Tuesday night, police said.The deceased were identified as Mahesh Rawat, 52, and his son Naumilal, 30, residents of Munnakipurwa village under Satrikh police station limits.The incident took place around 11pm at a Durga Puja celebration in Jarhara village under Jaidepur police station area, where the father-son duo had been invited to display snakes before devotees.According to eyewitnesses, Mahesh was holding a female cobra and performing to the tunes of a been when the reptile suddenly slipped and bit him on the leg.As Naumilal rushed to assist his father and regain control of the snake, it struck him as well. Both men collapsed within minutes, sending shockwaves through the gathering.The situation turned chaotic as the two snakes reportedly escaped into the crowd, prompting devotees to flee the venue in panic.Witnesses said people initially hoped the snake charmers would recover on their own, but their condition continued to worsen.The duo was eventually rushed to the district hospital around 1am.Doctors administered multiple doses of anti-snake venom and attempted to stabilise them. However, as their health deteriorated, they were referred to Lucknow for advanced treatment. Both succumbed to the venom while being transported to the state capital.Police later sent the bodies for post-mortem examination.Villagers said Mahesh had learnt snake-catching techniques in Bengal and had made snake handling his livelihood.Along with his son, he often rescued snakes from fields and residential areas and relocated them. They also performed with snakes at local events to earn money.Locals said the female cobra involved in the incident had been caught only three days earlier near a religious site outside Jarhara village.The performance ended in tragedy when the snake attacked both men before a stunned audience.
