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We are at the peak of the festive season and Diwali is around the corner. Also, known as the festival of light, this occasion is celebrated with great excitement and enthusiasm all over the country. Along with diyas, rangolis and firecrackers, Diwali is also observed with delicious festive delicacies like motichoor laddoos, kheer, malpua etc.
While in most parts of the country Goddess Lakshmi is worshipped on Diwali, people in West Bengal, Odisha and Assam worship Kali Maa on this day. As per the Hindu calendar, this festival falls in month of Kartik and this year Diwali and Kali Puja will be celebrated on November 12. Every region has some special bhog dishes that are presented to the goddess during puja.
Here are five iconic prasad that are offered to the deities on Diwali and Kali Puja:
Jimikand Ki Sabzi
Also known by the name suran, oal or yam, this root vegetable is an essential part of Diwali. Jimikand is believed to symbolise purity, expansion and prosperity. Some people believe that this vegetable is also dear to Goddess Lakshmi and brings good fortune. Made with curd and a variety of spices, it is very healthy along with being delicious.
Niramish Mangsho
Popularly known as ‘vegetarian mutton’, this is a unique bhog recipe for Kali Pujo. The term ‘veg mutton’ is used for this dish because the sacrificed animal is cooked without any onion or garlic. Besides Kali Pujo, this ritual is also a part of the ninth day during Durga Puja. The offering is called Maha Proshad and is very auspicious in Bengali culture.
Kheel Batashe
Diwali is incomplete without sweets and desserts like motichoor laddoo and kheer. But there are another two things without which the ‘festival of light’ is incomplete. These items are kheel and batasha. As they are prepared from the first batch of harvested rice, devotees believe that offering kheel and batashe to Goddess Lakshmi will bring health, wealth and prosperity.
Bhoger Khichuri
Bhoger or niramish khichuri is a traditional Bengali dish that has a great importance in Kali Pujo. Made with Gobindobhog rice, vegetables and spices like red chilli, cinnamon and garam masala, it is offered to Maa kali and then distributed as a prasad among the devotees. It has a heavenly aroma and divine taste.
Choddo Shaak
This is another traditional Bengali recipe that is prepared on the day of ‘Chhoti Diwali’ or Bhoot Chaturdashi. It is believed that on this day the ancestral spirits visit their descendants on Earth. The devotees prepare a dish called choddo shaak that is said to protect the body from malevolent spirits. It includes 14 varieties of leafy greens such as kolmi, laal saag, palak, paat, brahmi, pui, sorshe and so on.
