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India is known all over the world for its rich culture, ancient history and diverse traditions. The beliefs and worship methods of the temples located in every corner of the country are equally unique. Generally, in any temple, fruits, sweets, dry fruits or Panchamrit are offered to God as offerings, but have you ever heard that chocolate, noodles, liquor or mutton-chicken biryani is offered to God as Prasad? It may sound a bit strange, but it is absolutely true. Let us know about 6 such unique temples of India where the Bhog practices remain a topic of discussion all over the world.
1. Chocolate Eating God: Subramanya Swamy Temple (Kerala)
Lord Subramanya Swamy Temple, located in Alappuzha district of Kerala, is also known locally as ‘Munch Murugan’. The biggest specialty of this temple is that the devotees coming here offer chocolate (especially Manch Chocolate) to the Lord instead of traditional Prasad. Behind this unique tradition are the deep faith of the children and many local beliefs, due to which this temple has gained immense popularity among the youth and children.
2. Offering of Chinese Noodles: Chinese Kali Temple (Kolkata)
This temple of Maa Kali, located in Tangra area of Kolkata, the cultural capital of West Bengal, is very unique. It is called ‘Chinese Kali Temple’, where instead of traditional sweets, ‘noodles’ and Manchurian are offered as Prasad to the Mother Goddess. This unique tradition was started by the local Chinese families settled in this area, which has now become the identity of this temple. Devotees coming here also accept this Prasad with devotion.
3. God accepts the offering of alcohol: Kaal Bhairav Temple (Ujjain)
This ancient temple of Lord Kaal Bhairav located in the religious city of Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh is famous all over the world for its Tantric beliefs and miracles. The biggest feature of this temple is that liquor is offered as Prasad to Lord Kaal Bhairav. Devotees bring a bottle of liquor with them, which the priest of the temple takes out in a special vessel and takes it near the face of the deity and within no time the offering of liquor disappears.
4. Lavish offering of Mutton-Chicken Biryani: Muniyandi Swamy Temple (Tamil Nadu)
Muniyandi Swamy Temple located in Madurai district of Tamil Nadu is very famous for its non-vegetarian offering. According to local beliefs, Lord Muniyandi is considered a form of Lord Shiva. A grand three-day festival is organized every year in this temple, in which chicken and ‘Mutton Biryani’ are prepared for thousands of devotees as the main offerings and then it is offered to the Lord and distributed as Prasad.
5. Tantric meditation and non-vegetarian food: Tarapeeth Temple (West Bengal)
The famous ‘Tarapith Temple’ of Maa Tara located in Birbhum district of West Bengal is counted among the major Shaktipeeths of the country. This place is mainly known for Tantrik Sadhana and activities of Aghoris. The traditional offerings to Maa Tara in this temple include fruits, flowers as well as meat and fish, which is an important part of the Shakta tradition and ancient rituals here.
6. Roasted Fish and Toddy Prasad: Parashini Kadavu Muthappan Temple (Kerala)
This temple of Lord Muthappan located in Kannur district of Kerala is known for its inclusive and unique culture. There is no discrimination of caste, religion or gender in this temple and it is open to all. Roasted fishes and traditional ‘Toddy’ (Palm Wine) are offered as offerings to Lord Muthappan. The same Prasad is also distributed to the devotees visiting the temple, which reflects the regional tradition of the place.