Why Bengalis Eat Non-Veg During Durga Puja, While Navratri Calls For Fasting?

The vibrant and culturally significant festivals of Durga Puja and Navratri are both celebrated nearly at the same time, and they still showcase remarkable cultural diversification throughout India. The majority of the nation connects Navratri with fasting, utmost devotion shown through self-control by observing a fast and following a Satvik diet. On the other hand, the Bengalis celebrate Durga Puja with grand and special Bengali feasts of meat, fish, and sweets. This wide variation is due to many reasons, including historical, cultural, and philosophical backgrounds.

In Bengal, Goddess Durga is not just prayed to as a divine energy but as a daughter of Bengal who comes home for a temporary visit, and Bengalis celebrate the occasion wholeheartedly, with grand celebration rather than restraint. Food is the cornerstone of this celebration, representing love, warmth, and faith. Serving non-vegetarian special food varieties like fish, meat, and even goat is part of the traditional ceremonies in Bengal, and has also been one of the bhog (sacred offering) to the Goddess. This is in accordance with Bengal's Shakta tradition of worshipping the powerful and fierce form of the Goddess Durga, which at times involves rituals of animal sacrifice and foods representing life.

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On the other hand, Navratri, which is celebrated in northern and western parts of India, follows Vaishnav and Satvik traditions, including the flairs of purity, fasting, and meditation. During Navratri, the nine-day-long festivities, devotees avoid eating onion, garlic, or non-vegetarian foods, which are linked with spiritual discipline and restraint.