The residents of Kalarahanga village, which is outside of Bhubaneswar, were shocked to learn of an unexpected discovery inside a centuries-old family heirloom. In the house of local resident Parikshit Pathi, a live snake was discovered Thursday inside a 300-year-old wooden chest that had been preserved over seven generations.

Parikshit's family claims that when they saw the snake yesterday, they quickly closed the chest without upsetting it. Concerned for safety, they contacted the Snake Helpline. Purnachandra Das, a snake rescuer, arrived on the scene and successfully removed a non-venomous snake that was three feet long.


Following a successful rescue, the non-venomous snake was returned to a suitable natural habitat that was remote from populated areas, guaranteeing the safety of the local population as well as the reptile.

Snakes Protecting the Chest?

Parikshit explained that the chest had been passed down for generations and is likely around three centuries old. Although old tales and folklore suggest that snakes guard treasure-laden chests, the box contained no valuables—only history and mystery.

Subhendu Mallik, General Secretary of the Snake Helpline, stated, “There’s a long-standing belief that snakes guard chests filled with gold or silver. While such myths exist, in this case, the chest contained other articles. Scientifically speaking, it’s likely that a rat or other small animal had previously made a hole in the wooden trunk, creating a passage through which the snake entered.”