Did You Know A Community In Karnataka Offers Non-Veg Food To Lord Ganesha As Part Of 100-YO Custom?

Ganesh Chaturthi, or Vinayaka Chaturthi, is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. But did you know that there is one community in Karnataka that marks the occasion by offering non-vegetarian food to Ganesh ji? Surprising, right? Here’s why this community follows such different traditions, unlike other devotees across India.

A Unique Way To Celebrate Lord Ganesha

A 10-day celebration, Ganesh Chaturthi honours the birth of Lord Ganesha. During the festivities, devotees typically mark the occasion by offering a variety of traditional snacks such as modak, ladoos, bananas, coconut, and jaggery to Lord Ganesha. These are all vegetarian items offered to the deity, a custom followed by most communities celebrating the festival in India. However, there is one community that offers non-vegetarian dishes to Lord Ganesha a day after the celebration, making their traditions stand out.

As per a report by News18, this centuries-old tradition is followed by the Savji, or Somavamsha Sahasrarjuna Kshatriya (SSK) Samaj in Hubballi, Karnataka. Unlike other devotees who offer only vegetarian dishes, this community includes mutton chops, chicken curry, mutton tikka, fish fry, and even biryani in their offerings to Lord Ganesha, a day after Ganesh Chaturthi. This day is celebrated by them as Iliwara and is a significant part of their rituals to honour Lord Ganesha. 

Also Read: 7 Interesting Facts About Ganesh Chaturthi You May Not Have Heard Of

Offering Non-Veg To Lord Ganesha Is A 100-YO Ritual

According to the same report, Nagesh Kalaburagi, the leader of the Savji community, explained to News18 that they typically offer these non-vegetarian dishes to Lord Ganesha a day after Chaturthi. In addition, they follow a unique custom of placing a fish on Lord Ganesha’s trunk as part of their offering.

The community views Lord Ganesha as their son. So, when they eat non-vegetarian food, they feel it is only right to share it with Ganesh ji too. This practice has been observed for a hundred years and is followed religiously every year by this community in Karnataka.

Also Read: Since 64 Years, This Mumbai Artist Has Been Making Sabudana Rangolis Of Lord Ganesha By Hand

Were you aware of this unusual tradition? Do you know of any other unique or uncommon rituals followed by devotees across India? Share your thoughts and let us know. Devotees will celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 on Wednesday, August 27. The festival typically lasts 10-11 days and concludes with Ganesh Visarjan. 

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ ashishshete85 (Representative Image)