By TC News Desk
Agartala, 17th August 2024: Devotees will celebrate Bishahari Devi Mansa Puja, with worship of Goddess Mansa taking place from house to house. The traditional Mansa Puja will also be held at Durgabari, in accordance with long-standing customs. This puja is observed on Sankranti Tithi in the month of Shravan.
Goddess Mansa, also known as Manasa, Ketka, and Padmavati, is revered in Hinduism as the daughter of Lord Shiva, though she was raised by a sage. Maa Mansa is worshiped in two forms: mythological and secular. Initially, she was venerated primarily by fishermen and farmers, but over time, her worship has gained widespread popularity.
There are various legends surrounding the birth of Maa Mansa. Some believe she was born in Padmavan, others in Kayabon, and some consider her an underworld virgin due to her birth in the underworld. The conflict between Chand Saudagar, a devout follower of Shiva, and Maa Mansa is a well-known tale. Initially, Chand Saudagar refused to acknowledge Maa Mansa as a goddess, but eventually, the first puja in her honor was performed with flowers provided by her.
According to the Durgabari priest, Maa Mansa is worshiped in Bihar, Bengal, Tripura, Odisha, Jharkhand, Assam, other parts of North East India, and Uttarakhand, primarily to prevent and cure snake bites and for fertility and prosperity. In our state, Goddess Mansa is honored on this day, with a month-long Mansa Puthi Path conducted from house to house among Hindus. Following the puja on Saturday, the Padmapuran Puthi Path will be held throughout the night.
