Fish bhog supplied to Devi Durga in Kendrapara village

By Express News Service

KENDRAPARA: If Devi Durga is worshipped in lots of avatars, extra is the number of choices made to Her by devotees throughout the 10-day competition. One of the choices that appears an exception is the fish bhog supplied to the goddess in Endar village beneath Derabish block of Kendrapara district. 

While nearly all Puja mandaps typically supply vegetarian ‘bhog’ to the deity, the 200-year-old puja carried out by Durga Prasan Acharya’s household gives fish to the Goddess as ‘Mahabhog’ which incorporates an elaborate platter of fish dishes together with fries and curries.

“We offer fish and rice in earthen pots to Goddess Durga from Saptami to Dashami. This ritual is being followed for 200 years now according to the Tantra and Shakti tradition in which non-vegetarian food is a part of the offering to the deity,” stated the chief patron of the Puja Durga Prasan Acharya. “The ritual began after my ancestors, who were Zamindars, moved to Endar village around two centuries ago.”

A devotee Sarat Das knowledgeable that beforehand, Hilsa fish was supplied to the deity however after a hike in its value, Rohi was used as a substitute. “The unique bhog attracts many devotees to this Puja committee every year. Many devotees hold the belief that by consuming this fish bhog, all their desires would be fulfilled,” stated temple priest Pitambar Mishra.

Many Bengali households who hint their origin to Bangladesh and have since many years settled within the seaside villages of Mahakalapada and Rajnagar blocks of the district, additionally make choices to fish dishes to the Goddess throughout the Durga Puja competition.

KENDRAPARA: If Devi Durga is worshipped in lots of avatars, extra is the number of choices made to Her by devotees throughout the 10-day competition. One of the choices that appears an exception is the fish bhog supplied to the goddess in Endar village beneath Derabish block of Kendrapara district. 

While nearly all Puja mandaps typically supply vegetarian ‘bhog’ to the deity, the 200-year-old puja carried out by Durga Prasan Acharya’s household gives fish to the Goddess as ‘Mahabhog’ which incorporates an elaborate platter of fish dishes together with fries and curries.

“We offer fish and rice in earthen pots to Goddess Durga from Saptami to Dashami. This ritual is being followed for 200 years now according to the Tantra and Shakti tradition in which non-vegetarian food is a part of the offering to the deity,” stated the chief patron of the Puja Durga Prasan Acharya. “The ritual began after my ancestors, who were Zamindars, moved to Endar village around two centuries ago.”

A devotee Sarat Das knowledgeable that beforehand, Hilsa fish was supplied to the deity however after a hike in its value, Rohi was used as a substitute. “The unique bhog attracts many devotees to this Puja committee every year. Many devotees hold the belief that by consuming this fish bhog, all their desires would be fulfilled,” stated temple priest Pitambar Mishra.

Many Bengali households who hint their origin to Bangladesh and have since many years settled within the seaside villages of Mahakalapada and Rajnagar blocks of the district, additionally make choices to fish dishes to the Goddess throughout the Durga Puja competition.