Manasa chali, or Manasa bari, is a type of idol of Debi Manasa made of Terracota in Panchmura, West Bengal, India. It typically features a small figure or a group of three figures in the middle with rows of snake hoods fanning out in a half moon shape.[1][2]Chali or bari is Bengali for 'the shade of something'. Chali is referred to here as 'the shade of idol' or 'the besh of idol', like Chalchitra.[3] These idols have two basic colors, reddish-yellow and black.[1]
Manasa, the snake deity, is worshiped primarily for protection from snakebites. The story of Chand Saudagar (The Devotee of Shiva) is well-known throughout the Bankura district. Manasa Chali and the Manasa Ghat are worshiped in Panchmura.[1]
