Ranna Puja, observed on September 16 annually, is closely linked to Goddess Manasa, the serpent goddess. It is believed that Manasa Puja is performed on the very last day of the month of Bhadra in Bengal. Here is a look at the popular story of Ranna Pujo in Bengal.
According to legend, long ago in Bengal there lived a
merchant who had seven wives. One evening, all seven went to bathe in a pond
near a forest. In that very forest lived the Ashta Nagas—eight serpent
deities—who had taken the form of fish after a forest fire forced them to seek
refuge in the pond.
The merchant’s youngest wife noticed these fish, caught them
with her towel, and took them home. She kept them alive in a pot filled with
water. The next morning, she was astonished to find that the fish had turned
into snakes. Instead of being frightened, she lovingly cared for them.
Eventually, the snakes decided to visit heaven and tell Goddess
Manasa everything that had happened. They asked her to bless the kind young
wife. The goddess brought the woman to heaven and instructed her to worship
Manasa daily and offer warm milk to the Ashta Nagas. She also warned her never
to look southward.
For a while, the young wife lived happily. But one day, curiosity got the better of her—she wondered what lay to the south. Forgetting the goddess’s warning, she looked in that direction and saw Manasa dancing. Captivated by the divine dance, she forgot to heat the milk for the snakes.
When she finally remembered and brought the milk, it was too
hot. As the snakes tried to drink it, their tongues were burnt. Angered, they
tried to bite her. Just then, the goddess intervened—she restored only half of
the jewelry on the woman’s body and sent her back to earth, instructing her to praise
the Ashta Nagas.
When the woman returned home in this strange half-adorned
form, everyone asked her what had happened. She explained that she had eight
brothers like the Ashta Nagas, and with such brothers, how could she ever lack
ornaments?
Hearing her words, the Ashta Nagas were pleased with her
devotion and praise. They went to Goddess Manasa again and requested her to
bless the young wife. The goddess appeared herself, bestowed her with many
ornaments, and declared that on the Sankranti of Bhadra month, people should
worship her.
She also instructed that offerings (bhog) during this
worship should include panta bhat (fermented rice) and various fish dishes.
Thus, over time, the Cooking Puja (Ranna Pujo) became a tradition in Bengal, and the glory of Goddess Manasa spread far and wide.