Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Cathedral of Saint James of Compostela), UNESCO, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Cathedral of Saint James of Compostela), UNESCO, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain

Alcaiceria, market, Granada, Andalusia, Spain

Nasrid Palaces, Islamic and Mudejar architecture, Alhambra, UNESCO, Granada, Andalusia, Spain

Our Lady of Constantinople, Co-cathedral of Ruvo di Puglia, Ruvo di Puglia, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Soccorpo Cathedral (Lamia dei Morti) (Cemeterio) (Church of S. Croce), Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta, Gravina, Bari, Alta Murgia, Apulia, Italy

Armenian Church (Cathedral of the Holy Cross), Aghtamar island, near Van, Anatolia, Turkey

Fresco of the three evangelists above the tomb of Passasepe Lambertini, Ancient Church of Santa Maria, Crypt, Cathedral, Trani, Apulia, Italy

Basilica of St. Martin, Piazza Plebiscito, Martina Franca, Taranto, Apulia, Italy

Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel, Monte Sant'Angelo, UNESCO, Foggia, Apulia, Italy

Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel, Monte Sant'Angelo, UNESCO, Foggia, Apulia, Italy

Participants wearing historical costumes on parade, Noto, Noto Valley, Sicily, Italy

Participants wearing historical costumes on parade, Noto, Noto Valley, Sicily, Italy

Participants wearing historical costumes on parade, Noto, Noto Valley, Sicily, Italy

Chiesa di San Carlo al Corso interior, Noto, UNESCO, Noto Valley, Sicily, Italy

Church of the Third Order of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Igreja da Ordem Terceira de Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo), Faro, Algarve, Portugal

Bust of Saint Nicholas of Myra blessing, 18th century, Basilica of St. Nicholas, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Lecce Cathedral (Cathedral of Maria Santissima Assunta and Sant'Oronzo), Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Church of Santa Chiara, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Cathedral of San Salvatore, Aix-en-Provence, Bouches du Rhone, Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur, France

Soccorpo Cathedral (Lamia dei Morti) (Cemeterio) (Church of S. Croce), Cathedral of S. Maria Assunta, Gravina, Bari, Alta Murgia, Apulia, Italy

Crypt, Cathedral, Trani, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, Italy

Palazzo Ducale, Ducal Palace, Martina Franca, Taranto, Apulia, Italy

Palazzo Ducale, Ducal Palace, Martina Franca, Taranto, Apulia, Italy

Palazzo Ducale, Ducal Palace, Martina Franca, Taranto, Apulia, Italy

Participants wearing historical costumes on parade, Noto, Noto Valley, Sicily, Italy

Duomo (Cathedral) interior, Enna, Sicily, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Good Friday procession, Enna, Sicily, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Carnival, Sciacca, Agrigento district, Sicily, Italy, Mediterranean, Europe

Cathedral interior, Braga, Minho Province, Portugal

Cathedral interior, Braga, Minho Province, Portugal

Cathedral Basilica of Santa Maria della Madia, Monopoli, Bari, Apulia, Italy

Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Galatina, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Galatina, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Frescoes, Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Galatina, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Church of San Domenico, Viana do Castelo, Minho-Lima, Portugal

Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela (Cathedral of Saint James of Compostela), UNESCO, Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain

Unidentified people celebrating Chinese New Year in January 2025, Bangkok, Thailand

Unidentified people celebrating Chinese New Year in January 2025, Bangkok, Thailand

Frescoes of scenes from the Apocalypse, Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, Galatina, Lecce, Salento, Apulia, Italy

Challenge of Barletta Cellar, Barletta, Barletta-Andria-Trani, Apulia, Italy

Glass bottles hand-painted on the inside displayed in Beijing Dragon Land jade gallery in Beijing, China

Asian artisans carving traditional design in workshop

Asian artisan carving traditional design in workshop

Asian artisans carving traditional designs in workshop

Asian artisan painting traditional design in workshop

Asian artisan carving traditional design

Asian artisan weaving traditional baskets in workshop

Asian artisan carving traditional design in workshop

Asian artisans carving traditional design in workshop

Asian artisan carving traditional design in workshop

Asian artisan carving traditional design in workshop

Asian artisan carving traditional design in workshop

Asian artisan carving traditional design in workshop

Asian artisan weaving traditional baskets in workshop

Asian artisans carving traditional design in workshop

Naga is the Sanskrit and Pali word for a deity or class of entity or being, taking the form of a very large snake, found in Hinduism and Buddhism. In India, nagas are considered nature spirits and the protectors of springs, wells and rivers. They bring rain, and thus fertility, but are also thought to bring disasters such as floods and drought. According to traditions nagas are only malevolent to humans when they have been mistreated. They are susceptible to mankind's disrespectful actions in relation to the environment. They are also associated with waters &33; rivers, lakes, seas, and wells &33; and are generally regarded as guardians of treasure.They are objects of great reverence in some parts of southern India where it is believe that they bring fertility and prosperity to their venerators. Expensive and grand rituals are conducted in their honour.