manasa

Manasa is a Hindu goddess primarily associated with snakes, serpents, and the underworld. She is widely worshipped in Eastern India, particularly in Bengal, Odisha, and Assam. Manasa is often depicted as a beautiful woman, sometimes with a serpent coiled around her head or with serpents emerging from her body. She is believed to possess the power to control snakes, both venomous and non-venomous, and to cure snakebites.

Her mythology often portrays her as a benevolent deity who can bestow fertility, prosperity, and protection from snake-related dangers. However, she can also be vengeful if disrespected or ignored. Her stories frequently involve her attempts to gain worship from humans, often facing opposition from those who do not believe in her or are afraid of snakes. These narratives highlight her power and her eventual triumph in establishing her devotees.

Manasa Puja is a significant festival dedicated to her, celebrated during the monsoon season. The worship involves offerings of flowers, fruits, and sometimes milk. Folk songs and dramas recounting her legends are performed during the puja, reinforcing her importance in the local culture and religious practices. She is also known by various other names, reflecting her diverse regional manifestations and attributes. Her worship is deeply intertwined with agrarian societies and their relationship with the natural world, particularly the pervasive presence of snakes in their environment.