Bengali women risk crocodile attacks to worship Behula-Lakhindar idol in Mahanadi tributary

Kendrapara, Sep 17 (UNI) Risking their lives, hundreds of married Bengali women today waded into a crocodile-infested tributary of the Mahanadi to worship the Behula-Lakhindar idol, placed
on a floating banana raft at Barakolikhola village, on the occasion of Kanya Sankranti.

As part of the ritual, women smeared vermilion on the earthen idol of Behula-Lakhindar, praying for the long life and prosperity of their husbands.
The practice is rooted in Bengali folklore and the epic Manasamangal, which narrates the legendary tale of Behula and her husband Lakhindar.

According to the legend, Lakhindar, son of Chand Saudagar, was bitten by a snake on his wedding night despite being confined in an iron chamber built to avert his foretold death.

Refusing to accept his demise, Behula placed his body on a raft and undertook a perilous journey, pleading with the Gods and ultimately convincing her father-in-law to worship Goddess Manasa. Her devotion restored Lakhindar and his brothers to life, compelling Chand Saudagar to bow before the goddess.
Every year, driven by this legend, Bengali women gather on Kanya Sankranti to worship the deity Manasa and the Behula-Lakhindar idol by stepping into the crocodile-inhabited waters.
“We believe Goddess Manasa blesses our husbands with long life and prosperity,” said Anjana Samal, a resident of Barakolikhola.
Unmarried girls also participate, applying vermilion to the idol in hopes of finding an ideal partner with the blessings of Behula-Lakhindar.