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Manasa Puja 2025 arrives with the timeless devotion of millions who revere the snake goddess for her divine grace and protection. Legends of Behula’s faith and Chand Sadagar’s defiance echo through generations, reminding us of Manasa Devi’s power to bless devotees with fertility, prosperity, and freedom from fear. As the sacred day approaches, devotees prepare with rituals, fasting, and offerings, seeking the goddess’s blessings for health, harmony, and abundance.
Who is Goddess Manasa?
Manasa Devi (Sanskrit: मनसा) is revered as the Hindu goddess of snakes, fertility, prosperity, and healing. Worshipped mainly in Bihar, Odisha, Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam, and Uttarakhand, she is believed to protect her devotees from snakebites, disease, misfortune, and infertility.
According to Hindu texts, Manasa is the daughter of sage Kashyapa, the sister of Vasuki, king of serpents, the wife of sage Jaratkaru, and the mother of the wise sage Astika. Her stories reflect both divine compassion and fierce determination, making her one of the most powerful yet complex goddesses in Indian mythology.
Names and Epithets of Manasa
Over centuries, Goddess Manasa has been known by different names across regions:
- Manasa (mind-born, from Kashyapa’s mind)
- Padmavati (connected with lotus, especially in Bengal and Assam traditions)
- Vishahari / Bishohori (destroyer of poison)
- Ayonisambhava (one not born of a woman)
- Nagmati (goddess of snakes in Bihar)
- Mare / Barmati (in Assam, associated with disease and protection)
- Nitya (eternal, timeless)
Her many names highlight her diverse roles as protector, healer, and divine mother.
Origin and Evolution of Manasa Puja Worship
Historians and scholars suggest that Manasa originated as a tribal or folk goddess, later assimilated into the Hindu pantheon.
- Some link her to South Indian folk traditions, where snake goddesses like Manchamma were worshipped.
- Others see her as an adaptation of Buddhist goddess Janguli, known for curing poison.
- By the 14th century, she was recognized as a fertility goddess and integrated into Shaiva traditions, even connected to Shiva through later myths.
This evolution shows how Manasa transformed from a local deity to a mainstream goddess, gaining widespread worship across eastern India.
Iconography of Manasa Devi
Manasa is portrayed as a radiant goddess with a golden complexion, draped in red garments, and adorned with gold ornaments. She is often depicted:
- Sitting on a lotus platform (Padmalaya)
- Sheltered by the hoods of seven cobras
- Holding a conch, lotus, and snake
- Displaying Abhaya Mudra (gesture of protection)
- Sometimes shown with her son, Astika, on her lap
- Accompanied by her loyal companion, Neta (Neto)
In Bengal, idols often depict Manasa with Behula and Lakshminder, highlighting her connection to folk epics.
Legends and Stories of Goddess Manasa Puja
In the Mahabharata
Manasa appears as Jaratkaru, who marries sage Jaratkaru. Their son, Astika, saves the serpent race from King Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice (Sarpa Satra), highlighting her divine role as the protector of serpents.
In the Puranas
Manasa is described as the mind-born daughter of Kashyapa. Granted power by Brahma, she became the presiding goddess of snakes. She worshipped Shiva and Krishna, gaining siddhi (mystical powers) and recognition as a divine mother goddess.
In Mangalkavyas of Bengal
The Manasa Mangal epics narrate her struggles for recognition. Rejected by her father Shiva and scorned by her stepmother Chandi (Parvati), Manasa sought human devotion.
Her greatest challenge was Chand Sadagar, a wealthy merchant who refused to worship her. To prove her power, Manasa killed his six sons, and finally his seventh son Lakhinder, on his wedding night. His wife Behula, with unshakable devotion, floated with her husband’s body on a raft for months until the gods revived him and restored Chand’s sons. At last, Chand grudgingly offered a flower to Manasa, marking her acceptance as a goddess.
This epic symbolizes the struggle of indigenous goddesses for recognition against male-dominated traditions.
Worship and Rituals of Manasa Puja Devi
Traditional Worship
- Manasa is often worshipped without idols, using:
- An earthen pot
- A branch of cactus or tulsi plant
- Clay snake figures
- In households and temples, rituals include offerings of milk, flowers, and prayers to seek her protection.
Seasonal Importance
- Worship peaks during the rainy season (Shravan and Bhadra months), when snakes are most active.
- She is also invoked for fertility, childbearing, and prosperity.
- Women observe vrata (fasts) and offer milk at snake burrows during Nag Panchami.
Regional Traditions
- North Bengal & Assam: Celebrated with folk theatre (Oja-Pali) and public rituals.
- Bhagalpur (Bihar): The center of Manasa worship, linked to Chand Sadagar and Behula’s story. Every year, 16–19 August, grand celebrations take place, including Manjusha Chitrakatha folk art.
- Kolkata (Manasa Devi Mandir, Lala Bagan): Annual worship between November and February, continuing for over 120 years.
Manasa Puja 2025: Date, Tithi & Muhurat
In 2025, Manasa Puja falls in August, around the Shravan and Bhadra months. Devotees particularly observe it on or near Nag Panchami.
- Nag Panchami Date: 17th August 2025
- Manasa Puja Observance: Some regions celebrate on 17th August, while others on 18th August 2025, depending on local traditions and lunar tithi.
- Auspicious Muhurat (Puja Time): To be determined by regional panchang (Hindu almanac).
Significance of Manasa Puja Worship
- Protection from Snakes – Prevents snakebites and cures poison.
- Fertility & Childbirth – Grants blessings for healthy children.
- Wealth & Prosperity – Invoked by traders and households.
- Cultural Identity – Preserves regional epics, folk art, and festivals.
Final Thoughts
Goddess Manasa Devi represents resilience, healing, and divine protection. Her worship not only safeguards devotees from snakebites but also symbolizes the victory of faith, devotion, and feminine divinity.
As Manasa Puja 2025 approaches, devotees across India will honor her with deep faith, ensuring her legacy continues to flourish through rituals, stories, and cultural traditions.
FAQs on Goddess Manasa Puja, Worship, and Traditions
1. Who is Goddess Manasa and why is she worshipped?
Goddess Manasa is a revered Hindu deity of snakes, primarily worshipped in Bengal, Assam, Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, and northeastern India. She is believed to protect her devotees from snakebites, cure diseases, and bless families with fertility, prosperity, and wellbeing.
2. What is the origin of Goddess Manasa Puja in Hindu mythology?
Manasa is described as the daughter of Sage Kashyapa and the sister of Vasuki, the king of Nagas. Some traditions consider her connected to Lord Shiva, while others trace her origins to ancient tribal and folk deities later integrated into Hinduism. Over time, she became a powerful goddess associated with both healing and fertility.
3. What are the other names of Goddess Manasa?
Manasa is known by several names across India, including Padmavati, Vishahari (Destroyer of Poison), Ayonisambhava (Not born of a womb), and Nitya (Eternal). In Bihar she is called Nagmati, while in Assam she is often referred to as Mare or Barmati.
4. How is Goddess Manasa depicted in scriptures and iconography?
She is portrayed as a beautiful woman with a golden complexion, wearing red garments and gold ornaments. Usually, she has four arms—holding a conch, lotus, and snake, with one hand in a blessing gesture. She is often shown seated on a lotus or surrounded by cobras, symbolizing her command over serpents.
5. What are the popular legends associated with Manasa Devi?
One of the most famous legends is her struggle to gain acceptance as a goddess by forcing worship upon Chand Sadagar, a wealthy merchant who opposed her. She tested his devotion by causing the death of his sons, but ultimately, through Behula’s persistence and devotion, her authority as a goddess was established.
6. What role does Goddess Manasa play in the Mahabharata?
In the Mahabharata, Manasa (as Jaratkaru) marries the sage Jaratkaru and gives birth to Astika, who later saves the Naga race from extermination during King Janamejaya’s snake sacrifice (Sarpa Satra). This highlights her role as a protector of serpents and a savior figure.
7. When is Manasa Puja celebrated and why?
Manasa Puja is mainly observed during the monsoon months of Shravan and Bhadra (July–August), when snakebites are most common. Devotees worship her to seek protection from snakebites, good health, fertility, and prosperity. She is also venerated on Nag Panchami with offerings of milk, flowers, and prayers.
8. How is Goddess Manasa worshipped?
Traditionally, she is worshipped without idols. Devotees often use symbolic representations like a clay pot, branch of a cactus, or earthen snake figure. In Bengal and Assam, she is also worshipped in temples with elaborate rituals, folk performances, and devotional songs.
9. What is the cultural significance of Manasa Mangalkavya?
Manasa Mangalkavya, a medieval Bengali devotional text, immortalized her stories and made her worship widespread. Through tales of Behula and Chand Sadagar, it emphasizes themes of devotion, resilience, and divine justice, strengthening her place in regional culture and literature.
10. Where are the most famous temples of Goddess Manasa located?
Some renowned places of worship include the Manasa Devi Temple in Bhagalpur (Bihar), temples in West Bengal and Assam, and the 120-year-old Manasa Devi Mandir in Lala Bagan, Kolkata. These sites draw thousands of devotees every year.
11. Why is Goddess Manasa important in modern times?
Even today, Goddess Manasa is seen as a symbol of healing, protection, and feminine strength. She represents the triumph of devotion over adversity and is revered as a powerful mother goddess who safeguards her devotees from dangers, particularly snakebites and diseases.