Appeasing the snake goddess
Idol of Manasha at the Boiragipara Temple. Photo: STAR
The Manasha Puja festival was celebrated recently amidst religious fervour, harmony and gaiety at the Boiragipara Temple, Natunbazaar area in Magura town.
Although the Hindu community throughout the country celebrated Manasha Puja in August, the residents of Natunbazaar area have been observing it annually on the last day of the Bhadra month (of the Bengali calendar) for the last three years. An interesting anecdote surrounds this festival in Boiragipara: Local devotees say that a man from the area vowed to observe a special Manasha Puja three years ago when three people in the area faced death and several others fell ill from snakebites.
“I promised to arrange Manasha Puja every year on the last day of Bhadra to appease the snake goddess. I made this vow when in a dream I saw the snake goddess. Local people had been attacked by snakes,” said Santu Adhikari to this correspondent.
Like every year, on September 17 ardent devotees from various areas of the district thronged the Boiragipara Temple premises to observe the festival and to make their offerings to the snake goddess.
“Manasha Mangal” was recited, while food was distributed among the devotees and the poor. Spiritual songs were also performed at the temple premises.
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