Billboard in jaipur in 1988: Nagin aur Nagina

cobra woman, originally uploaded by Norma Desmond.

The legend of Nagin (snake woman), also Nagina, Naga, etc., (meaning snake or serpant, usually a cobra), and Nag or Snake God are prevalent in many Asian countries for about 5000 years. There are many temples dedicated to the Serpant God in most parts of India and other Asian countries.

The legends about Nagin or snake woman mostly tell stories of the female snake out there to take revenge against wrong-doers, usually its the ones who killed its lover or partner. The popular stories say that the Nagin can transform itself to any form it wants such as a woman, or other living beings so that it can easily carry out its plan for revenge.

There are many written stories, novels, and several movies made on stories revolving around the Nagin. The latest one to be released is an Indo-American production, the Mallika Sherawat starrer "Hissss" (originally known as “Nagin: The Snake Woman”, also starring Jeff Doucette, Irrfan Khan and Divya Dutta), directed by Jennifer Lynch.