We are now in the town of Ouidah, in the southern part of Benin. Our first stop after lunch was the Temple of Pythons. It's a fascinating, historical, and sacred temple which houses dozens of python snakes. It serves as a Vodun temple, a religion which was an inspiration for other religions, such as Voodoo. The snakes are important religious symbols and are highly respected. I know they had my respect. I was a little lost on their spiritual aspect, but I can respect it, nonetheless.

The historical aspect goes back to the 1700's when the king of Ouidah sought refuge in the forest during a war. Pythons emerged from the forest and prevented his capture and to show his gratitude, he created three monuments, one of which is the Pythons Temple. The temple is in the center back in the photo below. It's not very large.

This is a closeup of the statue that is out in front of the temple. Since the tour didn't start until we were inside, I never heard an explanation about this statue.

Vicky is getting up close and personal with a python. She didn't seem to have any problems snuggling up with a snake.

Below is inside the Temple of the Python. It's a concrete building with a clay roof. It houses some 60 pythons, known as Royal Pythons.

People come into the temple to pray but can only ask for positive things. They sit around the bottom of the pit, with some holy water, and the snakes all about.

I suppose this is called a "snarl of snakes." I wasn't able to count them.

The pythons are not fed in the temple but let out once a week to go and feed on chickens, mice, and rats. Then they return to the temple.

Our temple guide said that if neighbors find one of the pythons in their house, they gladly return it to the temple.

I had my turn wearing a python too. But I did it for a good cause...to help the 49'ers beat the Packers in the NFL playoffs, a positive thing.