Maa Manasa Puja 2016 = 24th July (Sunday)
Maa Manasa Puja 2016 = 7th August (Sunday)
The Hindu festival, Maa Manasa Puja is also known as Manasha Devi Puja and Nag Panchami in Bengal region. This festival is dedicated to snake Goddess and chiefly observed in Bengal, Jharkhand, Assam and parts of Orissa on different days in Bengali months of Ashar, Shravan and Bhadrapad (June - September). In 2016, Manasa Puja will be observed on 24th July and 7th August. Manasa Devi is the Goddess of snakes and is believed that she is the daughter of Lord Shiva.
In Bengal and other northeastern parts of India, Manasa Puja is worshipped for the prevention and cure of snakebite and also for fertility and prosperity. Manasa is the sister of Vasuki (The King of Snakes) and wife of saint Jagatkaru (Jagratkaru). She is also known as Vishahara (destroyer of poison), Nitya and Padmavati.
The myths about Manasa Devi emphasizes her bad temper and bitterness, due to not accepting by her father Shiva and her husband, and the hatred of her stepmother, Chandi (Shiva's wife, identified with Parvati in this context). In some scriptures, saint Kashyapa is considered to be her father, rather than Shiva. Manasa is depicted as kind to her devotees, but harsh to people who refused to worship her. Denied full godhead by her mixed parentage, Manasa’s aim was to fully establish her authority as a goddess and to acquire steadfast human devotees.
The rituals associated with, the Pujas is held on the fifth day or Panchami day of all fortnights in the Ashara and Shraban months. There are different rituals related to Manasa Devi. From simple prayers to rituals which many might consider as grotesque. Due to associated with the earth and higher knowledge, she is worshipped mostly in eastern India. She is also worshiped by those people who have not any child. Special statues of Manasa Devi are prepared during this Puja period.
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