Manganese picrate with 2,6-bis(benzimidazol-2-yl)pyridine (L) has been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P-1 with a = 14.234(3) angstrom, b = 14.324(2) angstrom, c = 15.242(2) angstrom, alpha = 77.569(2)degrees, beta = 63.350(3)degrees, gamma = 82.130(2)degrees, and Z = 2. Interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) has been investigated with diverse spectroscopic techniques and viscosity measurements, and the binding constant is 1.76 x 10(5) mol(-1). Results suggest that the complex bind to CT-DNA via intercalation.