Maa Mansa Maa
The Main-idol, enshrined in the temple, consists of 5 heads (faces) and three arms of the deity. There is an interesting story behind it.
An old tree has become an interesting feature where pilgrims tie-up a thread around its stem for the fulfillment of their desires. One can easily see hundred of knots around it.
Manasā, also Mansā Devi, is an Indian folk goddess of snakes, worshipped mainly in Bengal and other parts of North and northeastern India, chiefly for the prevention and cure of snakebite and also for fertility and prosperity. Manasa is the mother of Astika, sister of Vasuki, king of Nāgas (snakes) and wife of sage Jagatkāru (Jaratkāru). She is also known as Vishahara (the destroyer of poison), Nityā (eternal) and Padmavati.
Her myths emphasise her bad temper and unhappiness, due to rejection by her father Shiva and her husband, and the hatred of her stepmother, Chandi (Shiva's wife, identified with Parvati in this context). In the Puranas, sage Kashyapa is considered to be her father, and not Shiva, although Lord Shiva is a father figure to her. Manasa is depicted as being 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.
Location:-
The famous and ancient temple of goddess Mansa Devi is located near a famous city of India, Chandigarh. A few kilometers away from Chandigarh is a town called Manimajra and the temple is situated here. Mansa Devi is one of the main 'Shakti Pith'. The head of goddess 'Sati', the consort of Shiva , had fallen here. A big festival is celebrated during the spring 'Nav-Ratras'. Millions of people visit the temple on this occasion. One can get plenty of buses for Mainmajra from Chandigarh bus-stand. In addition all other types of transport facilities are available.
Generally, Manasa is worshiped without an image. A branch of a tree, an earthen pot or an earthen snake image is worshiped as the goddess, though images of Manasa are worshipped too. She is worshiped for protection from and cure of snake bites and infectious diseases like smallpox and chicken pox.
The cult of Manasa is most widespread in Bengal, where she is ritually worshiped in temples. The goddess is widely worshiped in the rainy season, when the snakes are most active. Manasa is also a very important fertility deity, especially among the lower castes, and her blessings are invoked during marriage or for childlessness. She is usually worshiped and mentioned along with Neto, who is called Neta, Netidhopani, Netalasundori, etc. in various parts of Bengal.
In North Bengal, among the Rajbanshis, Manasa (called Bishohora, Bishohori or Padmavati) is one of the most important goddesses, and her thaan (shrine) may be found in the courtyard of almost every agrarian household. Among the lower-caste Hindus of East Bengal (present-day Bangladesh)too, she is worshiped with great pomp.
Manasa is an especially important deity in Bengal for the mercantile castes. This is because Chando of the Manasamangal was the first to initiate her worship, and Behula, the heroine of the Manasamangal was a daughter of the Saha clan (a powerful trading community).
Manasa is also worshiped extensively in Assam, and a kind of Oja-Pali (musical folk theatre) is dedicated entirely to her myth.
Manasa is ceremonially worshiped on Nag Panchami - a festival of snake worship in the Hindu month of Shravan (July–August). Bengali women observe a fast (vrata) on this day and offer milk at snake holes.
In South India people started recently worshipping Goddess Manasa Devi Temple in Mukkamala located in West Godavari, Andhra Pradesh.
