THE INDEPENDENT (Johannesburg, S Africa) 18 July 03 Man gives snake the kiss of death - and dies
New Delhi (Sapa-DPA): A drunk Indian man who wrapped a snake around his neck and repeatedly kissed it, died shortly afterwards. But the snake died first, it was reported on Friday.
The incident took place in the Bhadrak district of the eastern state of Orissa, the Asian Age newspaper reported.
Police said Kalindi Behera, 50, caught the snake in a field and told children in his village he was Shiva - the Hindu god of destruction depicted with a snake around his neck.
An inebriated Behera proceeded to dance around the field, kissing the snake several times.
The snake bit him on the neck and chest and then died.
Next Behera collapsed unconscious. He died later in the district hospital.
Man gives snake the kiss of death - and dies