In the world of Hindu mythology, stories often revolve around gods and goddesses who perform miracles, defeat demons, and rule from grand heavenly abodes. But not all deities were welcomed with open ...

When people think of Manasa Devi, they often picture the famous temple in Haridwar. Perched atop the Bilwa Parvat in the Shivalik Hills, it is one of the most well-known shrines in North India. Every ...

While in Europe, the poor legless reptile continues to get bad publicity (not least because of its Biblical reputation), in South Asia the matter is thankfully different. I grew up in a small town of ...

Under the popular museum series ‘Exhibit of the Month’ of Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya, a traditional object is displayed in the appearance for a whole month. The exhibit for the ...

Is there historical basis behind the story of Manasa Mangal? Is the legend of the snake goddess a complex political text in disguise? Film-maker Ashoke Viswanathan explored these questions and more in ...

Neti helps Manasa wreak havoc on her detractors, unleash misfortune on those who bring her sorrow, but helps those who accept the goddess as their tutelary deity. For instance, Neti advises Manasa to ...

KENDRAPARA: After a two-year Covid hiatus, residents of the seaside villages of Kendrapara celebrated the annual Kanya Sankranti by garlanding Goddess Manasa Devi with currency notes on floating rafts ...

In Bangladesh, after the scorching heat of 'grishsho', or summer, comes the monsoons and with it come welcome thunder, lightning and pouring rainfall. But, in rural areas, with the downpour, comes the ...

Boal, ilish, pabda, chitol and katla — these five fish are what Goddess Manasa receives as bhog at the Baikunthapur Rajbari in Jalpaiguri. The offering is a tradition that has been observed, without ...