A connection of fish and meat with Maa Durga’s homecoming
How Navratri is different for Bengalis: While most of India gears up for nine days of fasting, sabudana khichdi, and fruit thalis, Bengal marches to the beat of its own drum. Here, Navratri is the prelude to the state’s grandest festival, Durga Puja. Kitchens fill with the aroma of kosha mangsho, hilsa fish, chicken curry, and mutton biryani. For many outside Bengal, it is shocking: how can a festival rooted in devotion be paired with meat?
When does Durga Puja 2025 begin in the USA? | Credit: X/durgapujaspam
For Bengalis, the answer is simple: it is not rebellion. Eating fish and meat during Navratri is tradition, a culinary homage to Maa Durga, and a celebration of homecoming rather than restraint.
Navratri in Bengal: An ultimate joy of eating non vegetarian food
Unlike North India, where fasting and abstinence dominate, Bengalis see Navratri as a period of indulgence and togetherness. Families gather, cook, eat, and celebrate. Devotion is expressed through grand feasts, not through denying oneself. Non-vegetarian dishes are not a violation of faith, they are a form of festive offering that honours tradition.
Why Bengalis feast on fish and meat during Navratri? | Credit: Freepik
Historian Nrisingha Bhaduri notes that in Bengal, non-vegetarian food during religious festivities is considered a divine blessing. Shakta traditions, centred around goddess worship, consider both vegetarian and non-vegetarian offerings sacred. Temple rituals for Kali, for example, involve goat sacrifices, which are then shared as prasad.
Why fish and meat are integral for Bengalis during Navratri
Geography and climate play a role too. Bengal’s riverine abundance has made fish central to daily diets for centuries. Meat is accessible, affordable, and culturally ingrained. Unlike arid regions, where fasting and vegetarianism were historically more sustainable, Bengalis naturally incorporated non-veg foods into festival meals.
Why Bengalis feast on fish and meat during Navratri? | Credit: X/culcuttatadka
Typical plates during Navratri brim with kosha mangsho slow-cooked to perfection, hilsa steamed in mustard, chicken curry with potatoes, and mutton biryani. Street foods like phuchka, egg rolls, and Mughlai parathas add an extra punch of festivity. At pandals, vegetarian bhog like khichuri and payesh coexist alongside these meaty feasts, creating a perfect balance of devotion and indulgence.
Why Bengalis feast on fish and meat during Navratri? | Credit: X/culcuttatadka
North vs East: A festival of contrasts
In Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and Rajasthan, Navratri fasting dominates. Kuttu puris, paneer dishes, and sabudana khichdi rule the menu, while restaurants even switch to “Navratri specials.” Meanwhile, in Bengal, non-veg stalls appear near Durga Puja pandals. For Bengalis, this is part of the celebration, not a break from tradition.
Why Bengalis feast on fish and meat during Navratri? | Credit: X/freepik
This contrast highlights India’s cultural diversity. Navratri proves that faith and food intertwine in region-specific ways, with each state adding its unique flavour and personality to the festival.
For Bengalis, Navratri is a celebration of Maa Durga’s arrival, full of colour, music, and the comforting aromas of home-cooked meals. Non-vegetarian dishes do not contradict devotion—they amplify it, turning the festival into a full sensory experience. So, as you witness Kolkata’s kitchens bustling, remember: it is all sacred, spirited, and thoroughly Bengali.
What really happened when Maa Durga faced Mahishasura? | Credit: Freepik
FAQs:
1. Why do Bengalis eat non-vegetarian food during Navratri?
Bengalis see non-veg dishes as part of the festive tradition and devotion to Maa Durga rather than a break from religious observance.
2. What are typical non-vegetarian dishes during Bengali Navratri?
Kosha mangsho, hilsa fish preparations, chicken curry, mutton biryani, and fish fry are commonly enjoyed at home.
3. Do Bengalis also serve vegetarian bhog?
Yes, vegetarian bhog like khichuri, labra, and payesh is offered at pandals and temples alongside non-veg feasts at home.
4. How does Navratri in Bengal differ from North India?
While North India focuses on fasting and abstinence, Bengal celebrates with indulgence, community bonding, and rich feasts.
5. Is eating meat considered sacrilegious during Navratri in Bengal?
No, it is a culturally sanctioned form of devotion, rooted in centuries of Shakta tradition and culinary history.
