Stories
Unique Durga Puja at Nandakumar Temple with No Idol and Non-Veg Bhog
N
News18•13-10-2026, 12:31
Unique Durga Puja at Nandakumar Temple with No Idol and Non-Veg Bhog
- •No new idol is created at the Maa Jhingleswari Temple in Bhabanipur, Nandakumar, as the established deity herself is worshipped as Goddess Durga.
- •The centuries-old puja is steeped in ancient folktales originating from the time when the region was a riverbed navigated by boats and ships.
- •The puja features a unique bhog ritual offering seven types of dishes on Saptami, eight on Ashtami, and nine on Navami.
- •Unlike traditional pujas, various non-vegetarian items including fish, meat, and crabs are offered as bhog to the goddess.
- •Devotees from Haldia, Kolkata, and local areas gather in large numbers on Ashtami to offer prayers and fulfill vows through animal sacrifice.
Key Questions Answered
Unlike traditional celebrations, no new idol is constructed for the festival; instead, the established deity inside the Maa Jhingleswari Temple is worshipped directly as Goddess Durga from Shashti to Dashami.
The bhog includes a unique arrangement of seven types of fries and curries on Saptami, eight on Ashtami, and nine on Navami served on a single vegetarian plate, along with non-vegetarian dishes like fish, meat, and crab.
According to local belief, the area was once under a riverbed where boats and ships traveled, and the goddess's appearance originated from a conversation between shipmen and a woman believed to be Goddess Jhingleswari herself.
