Navratri is a fasting period celebrated across India, while the people of Bengal are exceptions to this practice as they celebrate Durga Puja with elaborate feasting, sometimes including fish and meat on the plate, which could be considered shocking to some. However, Andre, this is something they uphold with pride, faith and with tradition on their side.
On this day, the people of Bengal think of the Earth Mother, Ma Durga, and contribute to this joyful celebration with food.
Durga Puja is a festive time in Bengal where Navratri is Durga Puja, the biggest festival in Bengal where fasting is not a part of the tradition. Family and friends gather for festive meals, and fish and meat are a main course feature. Conservation kitchens prepare various fish and kosha mangsho in their kitchens.
Neighbors may share bhog offered at community pandals. Both events happen in Newport with joyful acceptance of each other’s choices. Durga Puja is a celebration of joy, not a time to be restrictive.
Bengal is historically shaped by its rivers, and fish is a staple of food in daily life. Historian, Nrisingha Bhaduri described fish as a presiding territorial divine blessing to a mother. Today, Shakta traditions make non-vegetarian offerings to deities and temples provide goat meat as prasad.
Offerings to Durga or Kali, as part of non-intellectual ritual rearing, eggs or meat is offered and celebrated. Food is a sacrament and a part of tradition and devotion.
West Bengal’s geographical shape and humid climate enhances the diet with fish and associated foods. The rivers also guaranteed an ecologically affordable source of protein. Fasting for nine days is not a common practice since retreating water that facilitates fasting does not also work for arid regions.
West Bengal’s geography favors fish over meat protein sources, no need to reduce consumption of nutritious foods to fasting foods, which are culturally a part of the diet.
Bengali foods like kosha mangsho served with luchis are of higher preference. Ilish machh could be served steamed or fried. Chicken curry comes with potatoes or even mutton biryani is also something that delights the people of Kolkata. Fish curry and fry were prepared using rui or bhetki.
During this time under the pandals khichuri and payesh were served as prashad. Street foods like phuchka and egg rolls are also have a great prevalence during this time.
In North India people observe fast strictly during Navratri and foods here are dominated by kuttu puris and sabudana khichdi. Restaurants serve vrat thalis. Whereas in Bengal under the pandals when poor people celebrate Navratri people sell biryani and fish fry in abundance. Thus we see festive indulgence.
Regions are vital in shaping food contextually in different practices. North and East India share a festival but look it different. In fact, through food, we see the great diversity of India.
In North India people do not eat grains and meat, but in Gujarat people can enjoy farali dhokla, while in South India most of the time you will find sundal served. However, in Bengal during this time we eat meat. Navratri has present India’s various religious traditions and has been interpreted through food. Celebrate Navratri 2025 with love, and eat foods that you love. Happy Navratri!
Also Read: Top 10 Garba Songs That Will Rock Your Navratri Nights
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