Fig. 1

This illustrates a section of the demon troops of Mara who symbolize forces of death (in a spiritual context). Most of them carry venomous snakes as weapons, mostly spectacled cobras which are historically the most feared snake by Sri Lankans.1 A spectacled cobra-headed demon carrying two cobras. 2 spotted stout body of a Russell’s viper locally known as thith polonga (spotted viper). 3 Slender shorter body and the pattern of bands of the skin indicate kraits. This photo was taken by the first author