A decades-old ritual in India sees scorpions crawling over the faces of devotees, including children.

Video filmed on Wednesday (August 3) shows locals taking part in the ritual, placing scorpions on their head and close to their faces. The festival takes place during the Hindu celebration of Naga Panchami in the village of Kandakoor in Karnataka state in southwest India.

The devotees’ courage stems from the belief that the scorpion goddess Kondammai will save them should the scorpion bite. If bitten, devotees apply a paste of herbs, largely consisting of turmeric, on the wound.

Devotees young and old, women and men thronged the Kondamma temple on the village hillock in Kandakoor where they will first offer pooja to Goddess Kondammai who is said to be a scorpion goddess. Later, they search for scorpions, which will be found in plenty under the rocks and the stones of the semi-arid region. Having caught the venomous insects, the devotees proceed to play with them. Some let the creatures crawl over their bodies, and some pop them into their mouths, letting the insect rest on their tongues for a few minutes. Children too will enjoy playing with scorpions with no fear.

The villagers not only offer puja to scorpions, but also take these venomous stingers in their hands, body, and face and allow them to move freely over their bodies.

The devotees’ courage stems from the belief that Goddess Kondammai will save them should the scorpion bite. If bitten, they apply a paste of herbs, largely consisting of turmeric, on the wound.