4 days ago
From prawns, mutton to fish: Non-vegetarian prasad traditions across India
The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has reportedly directed that all slaughterhouses and meat shops remain closed on August 15, Independence Day. The order has since drawn political reactions, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray voicing strong remarked that food choices are a matter of personal freedom, saying, 'They cannot dictate whether we eat vegetarian or non-vegetarian food. We will definitely eat non-veg.'advertisementThackeray's comments come in the backdrop of ongoing discussions around diverse food practices during festivals including instances where certain communities offer non-vegetarian items, such as prawns or fish, as 'prasad'.
Here are examples of prasad served during various festivities by different communities:LIST OF TYPES OF PRASAD1. Fish and muttonIn some Shakta or Tantric worship settings, non-vegetarian offerings constitute Vimala Temple (Puri, Odisha) A Shakti Peetha within the Jagannath complex, during Durga Puja, a goat is sacrificed before dawn and fish from the sacred Markanda tank is cooked and offered to Goddess Vimala. This ritual food, known as Bimala Parusa, is then distributed as prasad to devotees who witness the ceremony.2. Goat meat (mutton)Goat sacrifice followed by distribution of the meat is practiced in select Tarkulha Devi Temple (Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh) During Navratri (especially around Chaitra Ram Navami), goats are sacrificed as offerings to the goddess, and the meat is cooked and shared as prasad.3. Fish offeringsFish, sometimes alongside meat, is included in Tantric Parassinikadavu Temple, Kerala (Temple of Lord Muthappan) Incinerated fish along with toddy are offered to the deity and distributed as Temple, Assam, One of the prevalent Shakti Peethas, this temple offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian bhogs, including goat meat and fish chutney, as prasad (excluding onion or garlic).4. Fermented fish-based dishesSome regional religious feasts make use of fermented fish these are part of tradition, no specific temple is tied to this type of prasad in the sources you provided, so it remains a regional custom rather than a temple-based practice.5. Fish & meat offeringsTemple: Tarapith Temple, West Bengal A well-known Tantric shrine where goat meat (mutton) and shol maach (fish) form essential parts of the bhog (prasd). During special occasions like Kaushiki Amavasya or Ambubachi, complex meals featuring a variety of rice dishes, curries, fried vegetables, sweets, mutton, and fish preparations are The information presented in this article is based on credible and published reportage from reputable sources. The examples and descriptions provided are for informational purposes only and do not reflect the views or endorsements of this publication.- Ends
