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What Is 108 Noibedyo Bhog & Why Do Bengalis Serve Niramish Mangsho To Kali Maa During Kali Puja?

by Ankita Mazumdar
What Is 108 Noibedyo Bhog & Why Do Bengalis Serve Niramish Mangsho To Kali Maa During Kali Puja?

Bengalis don’t just celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali, they also celebrate Kali Puja on a grand scale. It is celebrated on Amavasya or the new moon during the month of Kartik. They are having the best of both worlds because they are respecting their cultural norms and enjoying Diwali as well. Most non-Bengalis celebrate Lakshmi Puja on Diwali to bring prosperity and wealth. But Bengalis already celebrated Lakshmi Puja right after Durga Puja.

Kali Maa is worshipped late at night and that is usually the muhurat or auspicious timing for Kali puja at dead night. How can it be a grand festival of Bengalis and food is not associated with it? Food and Bengalis are like besties who never grow apart and we love to see that! The bhog has some traditional rituals associated with it and they are diligently followed. Are you aware of the different bhog traditions Bengalis follow during this pujo? Let us tell you about some of them.

The 108 Noibedyo Bhog Offered To Kali Maa

This bhog is one of the largest bhogs ever served to Goddess Kali for worshipping purposes. The late-night worshipping starts with the typical khichudi, chutney, payesh, sooji, luchi, seasonal vegetable fried, and a torkari consisting of seasonal vegetables. These dishes are simplified as follows, the chutney is mostly tomato chutney and it is very delicious, payesh is kheer and Bengali kheer will make you forget the typical kheer you have.

The fried vegetable consists of potato, pumpkin, pointed gourd, and more. Sooji is roasted semolina cooked in ghee, sugar, cardamom seeds, bay leaf, and little water. Phulko luchi is pooris and torkari is a sabzi that consists of pumpkin, hyacinth bean or sheem, saag, cauliflower, and more. Further, devotees also offer 108 fruits and sweets to Kali Maa as noibedyo bhog.

Also Read: What is Bhoot Chaturdashi? Why Do Bengalis Celebrate This On The Eve Of Kali Puja?

General bhog also consists of these and you can make a small bite which consists of a little bit of everything and then eat it. There is no greater satisfaction than consuming this bhog while sitting at the Kali Puja pandal late at night when the fog rolls down from the sky.

What Is Niramish Mangsho?

Have you ever heard of Niramish Mangsho? Niramish means vegetarian and mangsho means mutton. It is one of the most unique bhog ever served to Kali Maa and yes, Kali Maa being a goddess is offered a mutton. this is a very traditional dish of West Bengal and Bengalis cook it with much love.

Also Read: From Shiddha Chal To Ragi Koozh, Explore The Flavours Of Devotion With These Kali Puja Dishes

They cook the mutton without onion and garlic; it is not bland at all. You might enjoy it, do try if you get a chance to get your hands on Niramish Mangsho. Another important thing to remember is that after the puja is done and Maa has eaten, the bhog is distributed among the devotees and the bhog contains either a food item of chicken or fish. When Kali Maa Is offered Niramish Mangsho, her devotees also receive similar food.

Happy Kali Puja to all the Bengalis!

Cover Image Credits: Canva

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