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 month of January 2024 MANASA GHAT-Manasa Devi is painted on a terracotta pot is on display in the indoor exhibition building–Veethi Sankul.
The 'exhibit of the month' was inaugurated by Mr. Anirudh Mukherjee I.A. S. Director General Academy of Administration and Principal Secretary, Public Asset Management Department Government of Madhya Pradesh, on the occasion many dignitaries were present. This object has been composed by Assistant Curator Dr. Ms. Soma Kiro On this occasion, the Director of the Museum; Dr. Amitabh Pandey welcomed Shri Anirudh Mukherjee Director General Academy of Administration with a bouquet and presented the logo of the Museum.
About the exhibit displayed in the exhibition, Dr. Ms. Soma Kiro said that the ritual earthen pot known as Manasa Ghat is used to worship the serpent deity, Goddess Manasa. A megnificant example of Bengali folk art, the Manasa Ghat is a painted earthen pot in a peculiar shape and form. It is believed that this object is originated in East Bengal, present Bangaladesh which later travelled to West Bengal particularly Bankura, Midnapur and 24 Paragana.
Traditionally Manasa devi is not worshiped with an image or idol. Usually a branch of a tree, an earthen pot or idol of an earthen snake is used to worship the Goddess. It is placed in Manasa temple.
The deity is worshipped on the last day of Shravan month or Sankranti. During this puja, the story of Padma Puran or Manasa Mangal is narrated the whole night. Traditionally there is no any idol of the deity. A typical shape of the deity was painted on a pot for the first time in Barishal district of Eastern Bengal. The whole pot is painted according to the gesture of the deity.
Though there is no any description of Manasa Goddess is found in Purans but Astha-naga, the serpent is painted on the round body of the earthen pot to be worshipped as an idol.Worship of snake is a traditional customary to avoid the snake bite. It is believed that the snake lays so many eggs at a time therefore this deity is also known as the symbol of fertility and abundance.
Manasa ghat is made by the village potters and artists paint the image of Manasa devi on the pot. The Manasa ghats are known to be quite height in shape (from 6 inch to 24 inches) and the painting drawn on these pots hold a significant meaning which is divided in four parts.
Padan, the base of the Ghat on which legs of the deity is drawn.Deh Kund, is the abdomen part of the deity, it is a wide circumference of the pot and also shown holding the snakes in her both hand Then the neck and head portion of the deity is painted.Kanat, a projected rim which serves as the mouth of the ghat as an ornamental head piece for the goddess. An eye is painted on the forehead of goddess called Trinayana through which the goddess Manasa takes full form.The present form of Manasa ghat is stylistically painted in yellow, red, black and white colour.
