West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s visit to Kolkata’s centuries-old Kalighat Temple has drawn attention after he was seen partaking in the traditional non-vegetarian bhog served at the shrine.
Adhikari visited the temple on the occasion of Kaushiki Amavasya, an auspicious day for Shakta Hindus. A video from the visit showed the Chief Minister seated on the floor and eating the temple’s bhog, which included a large fish head, fried fish and basanti pulao.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
The meal has also attracted attention amid a debate in West Bengal over dietary practices during religious festivals. The discussion followed remarks by a Hindu priest who had criticised Bengali Hindus for consuming non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja.
However, the serving of fish at Kalighat is part of the temple’s longstanding tradition. Unlike practices at many temples elsewhere in the country where non-vegetarian food is generally avoided, certain Shakta temples in West Bengal are known for offering fish and other non-vegetarian items as bhog.
Adhikari’s meal at Kalighat therefore highlighted the distinctive religious and cultural traditions associated with Bengal’s Shakta heritage, where fish offerings have historically formed part of temple rituals and devotional practices.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)
