Masan Thakur is terrifying folk offspring of Goddess Kali. As per North Bengal, folk tradition Masan is a deity whose wrath spells utter ruin if not appeased. Just like his mother, he too is worshipped on Tuesdays, Saturdays, or on the new moon (Amavasya).
Masan Thakur is revered as a spirit-deity or demigod of the
dead in North Bengal. Though his worship is especially prominent during the month
of Bhadra (August–September), he is also venerated throughout the year, even on
Dipanwita Amavasya (the new moon associated with Kali Puja and Diwali in Bengal)
in some regions.
Story Of Origin Of Masan Thakur
A popular folk verse narrates his origin:
“As Kali danced and danced,
Sweat dripped from her form,
From that sacred sweat arose,
This being — Masan, born of the swamp.”
According to the Rajbanshi community’s folk belief, the god Dharmaraj
(Dharma Thakur) became aroused upon seeing the goddess Kali bathing. His seed
spilled into the river, and from those waters Masan Devta was born. Hence,
fish are often considered his companions.
In Cooch Behar, a section of the Rajbanshi people believes
that among Kali’s eighteen children, Masan is the eldest.
Dharmathakur, on the other hand, is regarded as the deity of
the homestead and all immovable things, the guardian of moral order — the
upholder of duty and righteousness for the living.
Masan Thakur was born on a Saturday in the month of Bhadra.
Since he was born in water, the midwife (as per custom) cast his umbilical cord
into the river. From that cord, kolmi-shak (water spinach) is said to have
grown. Out of respect for Masan Baba, many Rajbanshi people do not eat kolmi-shak
during Bhādra.
A well-known folk rhyme warns:
“He who eats kolmi-shak in Bhadra month,
Surely chews Masan’s navel cord.”
Masan Thakur Form
The deity Masan is fearsome in every form. Sometimes his eyes
and mouth are on his chest, with a protruding tongue; sometimes he has a huge
belly and cruel gaze; sometimes he rides on a fish, and sometimes on a boar.
In his worship, the aim is not devotion born of love, but worship
born of fear and appeasement. There are eighteen types of Masan worshipped in
Bengal. In every case, it is believed that Masan possesses or afflicts those
who commit wrongs or those who happen to encounter him alone — whether at noon,
dusk, or midnight.
The 18 Forms of Masan Thakur
Barika Masan – Dwells in bamboo groves or forests near human
settlements.
Tisila Masan – Resides in water.
Ghatiya Masan – Lives by riverbanks or ponds.
Chunchiya Masan – Haunts open fields or ghats.
Chalan Masan – Dwells in trees along roadsides.
Bahita Masan – Lives in banana trunks that drift away when
rafts are destroyed; those who touch such trunks by mistake become possessed.
Kal Masan – Inhabits cremation grounds.
Kuhuliya Masan – Dwells in trees and calls like a cuckoo;
responding to his call brings misfortune.
Nanga Masan – Always naked; mere sight of him brings death.
Bishuya Masan – Causes venomous pain all over the body when
he possesses someone.
Obuya Masan – Causes incessant vomiting when he possesses a
person.
Shukna Masan – Makes the afflicted person waste away.
Bhula Masan – Roams the fields at night, leading travelers
astray.
Dyamsha Masan – Resides in dense forests.
Angiya (Rangiya) Masan – A shape-shifting or multi-formed
Masan.
Chalnar Masan – The deceiving Masan.
Nyara Masan – The bald-headed Masan.
Kali Masan – Dwells in lonely corners within villages; the
most dangerous of all.
Signs of People Possessed By Masan Thakur
A person afflicted by Masan scratches and eats hearth clay,
charcoal, or wall dust.
They lose control over urination, and when asleep, they dream of catching
monstrous fish. Gradually, the sufferer becomes weak and wasted.
To escape Masan’s wrath, the afflicted person’s family
offers special worship at his shrine or temple on Saturdays, Tuesdays, or new
moons.
Offerings and Rituals
The offerings are peculiar — parched rice, roasted small
fish, broomsticks, banana, milk, and ghee.
Finally, the ritual concludes with the folk incantation to
appease Masan Baba, the son of Kali:
“Salutations to you, O Lord Masan,
Salutations, son of Kali!
By Krishna’s command,
I offer this prayer — may you be appeased.”