Non-Veg Is Not A Treat During Durga Puja. In Bengal, It Is Bhog

In Bengal, Maa Durga does not come as a guest who must be wrapped in holiness. She comes as a daughter returning to her father's house.

Sep 09, 2026 17:15 IST Published On Sep 09, 2026 17:09 IST Last Updated On Sep 09, 2026 17:15 IST

Published On Sep 09, 2026 17:09 IST

Last Updated On Sep 09, 2026 17:15 IST

A vegetarian Bengali explains her devotion during Durga Puja despite abstaining from meat

Durga Puja offerings include vegetarian and symbolic non-vegetarian dishes such as niramish mangsho

Sandhi Puja marks the time when meat is offered and becomes prasad during the festival

"I am a vegetarian Bengali," I told the priest.

Seeing my devotion and chanting of mantras during Sandhi Puja on Maha Ashtami, the priest at the Mudiali Puja pandal in South Kolkata asked me, "Are you a Bengali?"

"I am a vegetarian Bengali," I underlined again.

That sentence took many by surprise.

As if Bengal and fish are one word. As if Durga Puja cannot be Durga Puja unless there is a piece of mutton on the plate and a silver hilsa on the thali.

I grew up knowing both truths in the same location.

In Bengal, Maa Durga does not come as a guest who must be wrapped in holiness.

She comes as a daughter returning to her father's house. You do not put a daughter on a nine-day fast. You cook what the house knows how to cook. You cook what the river gave you. You cook what the family has always offered when the Goddess is in the courtyard. Here the Goddess is the daughter.

In any Bengali home, "Maa" is a word........

© NDTV