Kali Puja Special Recipes! I've been wanting to write about this for ages. When Kali Puja rolls around, we Bengalis have our own special dishes, different from the usual Diwali treats. I'll write about it separately. This is all about what we cook and eat during Dipanwita Kali Puja or Shamya Puja. When I think of Kali Pujo special recipes, my mind fills with pictures of Bhoger Khichuri, Labra, Panch Bhaja, Aloo Phulkopir Dalna, Chanar Dalna, and Chaler Payesh. And also, Niramish Mangsho and Choddo Shak. These dishes instantly remind me of a typical Kalipujor Bhog served after the completion of the puja.
Then, there's the super important Choddo Shak, which we make the day before Kali Puja on Bhoot Chaturdashi. And let's not forget Niramish Mangsho - yes, mutton cooked without onion and garlic, a Kali Puja specialty in Bengal! Sounds interesting so far, right? Let's dive in and explore more!
Jump to:
- Debjani's Note -About Dipanwita Kali Puja or Shyama Puja in Bengal
- Choddo Shak
- Bhoger Niramish Mangsho
- Dipanwita Kali Puja Special Recipes
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Dipanwita Kali Puja Special Recipe Videos to watch on my YouTube channel
- Recipe Collection from Debjanir Rannaghar
- Diwali Recipes
- Have you tried the Dipanwita Kali Puja Special Recipes from Debjanir Rannaghar!
- Here's the Bengali Kalipuja special Recipe collection Pin for your Pinterest Board
Debjani's Note -About Dipanwita Kali Puja or Shyama Puja in Bengal
Thinking about the Dipanwita Kali Puja, or Shyama Puja as we call it in Bengal, which happens right after Durga Puja and Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo, always floods me with memories. I've been lucky enough to experience this festival in many forms. From the well-known community pujas of Kolkata, to the stunning celebrations at Maluti and Tarapith, to the more intimate pujas in friends' and family members' homes, and now even in our own housing complex. Despite their differences, all these Kali Pujas share one common thread: the midnight worship of the Mother Goddess.
And of course, there's the Bhog, which is quite different from the typical Diwali food prepared across the rest of India. That's why I wanted to write this post - to share recipes that could create the perfect Kali Pujo Bhog, and more.
Choddo Shak
Why "more?"
Well, when talking about Kali Pujo Bhog, I can't leave out what we cook the day before, on Bhoot Chaturdashi: Choddo Shak. The day before Kali Puja, known as Bhoot Chaturdashi, Bengalis follow the special tradition of preparing Choddo Shak, featuring a delightful blend of 14 different leafy greens, all cooked together. This special dish, we enjoy at lunchtime, gets its unique name from the very ingredients that make it so special: the 14 "shak," or greens. Each of these greens represents a different aspect of life and the world around us. To discover more about this dish, including the recipe, check out the main post.
Bhoger Niramish Mangsho
Then there's Bhoger Mangsho, also known as Niramish Mangsho, a truly intriguing dish. It's mutton, incredibly, cooked without any onion or garlic! We cook this dish typically on Durga Nabami and the day after Deepavali. For more information and the full recipe, please see the list I've shared below.
Dipanwita Kali Puja Special Recipes
Get ready to celebrate Dipanwita Kali Puja with a delightful array of recipes! I've put together a selection that will make planning your bhog offering for Shyama Puja a breeze.
Must-make recipes on and around Dipanwita Kali Puja / Shyama Puja
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Niramish Mangsho, also known as Bhoger mangsho, is a renowned mutton dish cherished in Bengali homes. This delectable preparation is distinct as it is crafted without the inclusion of onion and garlic. It is traditionally offered as bhog during auspicious occasions of Durgapuja or Kalipuja.
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Bhoger Khichuri, also known as Bengali Niramish Khichuri, is a classic Bengali dish that combines fragrant Gobindobhog Rice and Sona Moong Daal, or yellow lentils, along with a blend of spices and vegetables.
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Labra is a classic Bengali Vegetarian dish cooked without onion and garlic
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Bengali Bandhakopir Torkari, popularly referred to as Badhakopir Ghonto, is a delectable vegetarian delicacy. This dish harmoniously combines cabbage, potatoes, and green peas, meticulously cooked to achieve the ideal texture. The flavors are enhanced with a medley of aromatic spices, Bengali Garam Masala, and a touch of ghee. Prepare to be enchanted by this tantalizing creation.
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Main dish Recipe Ideas for Kalipujo Bhog
Bhuni Khichuri, a well-known Bengali dish, is made with the usual combination of lentils and rice. However, its texture sets it apart from the typical khichuri. This version is drier, yet indulgent and flavorful.
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Basanti Pulao is a popular Bengali dish. It is a sweet Pilaf that is known for its saffron color. The word "Basanti" means yellow, so it is also called Holud Pulao. It is also known as Bengali Mishti Pulao, which means sweet pulao in English.
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Narkel Doodh Pulao aka Bengali Coconut milk Pulao is a flavorful Bengali Pulao cooked with coconut milk and flavorful Gobindobhog Rice.
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In this blogpost, you will discover a step-by-step guide on how to prepare the delectable fulko luchi, a renowned fried bread from Bengal.
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Side Dish Recipes for Bengali Kali Puja Bhog
Bengali style Aloo Phulkopi Dalna, also known as Aloo Phulkopi Dalna, is a flavorful dish made without onions or garlic. This delightful recipe features large pieces of cauliflower and potatoes cooked to perfection.
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Phulkopir Rosha is a spicy no onion no garlic Bengali vegetarian dish made with cauliflower. The curry is semi-dry and thick, with oil coming out from the edges. This makes it rich in flavor.
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Paneer Er Dalna is a Bengali style vegetarian no onion no garlic aromatic curry cooked with Paneer and also big potato chunks.
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Lomba Dantiwala Begun Bhaja, a renowned Bengali dish, is a humble rendition of fried Eggplant. It is traditionally served alongside puffed bread made from flour, like Luchi.
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Dhokar Dalna is a classic Bengali curry that is made without using onion or garlic. It features potato chunks and fried lentil cakes, known as dhoka bhaja, which give the dish its distinct flavor. This post includes instructions for making the dhoka bhaja from scratch as well as the steps for making the curry itself.
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Panch Mishali Tarkari is a vegetable dish from Bengal that combines different seasonal vegetables and is seasoned with Panch Phoron. While potatoes are usually included, other vegetables are added based on availability.
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Shukto, a renowned Bengali dish, is prepared by combining a medley of vegetables. Typically, in a customary Bengali feast, our culinary journey commences with a serving of rice accompanied by shukto aka shuktoni.
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Natun Aloor Dum, also known as Bengali Niramish Dum Aloo, is a delectable potato dish that is prepared without the use of onions or garlic. This flavorful gravy-based recipe features baby potatoes and is a popular specialty in Bengali cuisine.
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Khoi-er Bora is a crunchy and savory fritter prepared with Khoi, also known as Popped Rice, and is a signature vegetarian and vegan Bengali Snack.
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Jhuri Aloo Bhaja is a Bengali style crunchy fried potatoes prepared with shredded potatoes
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Begun Basanti is a popular Bengali-style brinjal curry that is a delightful balance of sweet and sour cooked with Mustard and Yogurt
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Chal Potol is a classic Bengali dish cooked with pointed gourd combined with aromatic gobindobhog rice. It is a vegetarian delight.
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Kumror Chokka, also known as Kumror Chakka, is a popular Bengali dish cooked with Pumpkin and potatoes that is famous for its unique blend of flavors and traditional preparation style.
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Chutney Recipes to make a Kali Puja Bhog Platter
The delightful Bengali plastic chutney is made by cooking raw papaya along with sugar and lemon juice. This combination gives the raw papaya a texture reminiscent of melted plastic, thus earning it its unique name.
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Tomato Amsotto Khejur er Chutney, a renowned Bengali condiment, combines the flavors of tomato, Amsotto a type of mango preserve, and dates in a delightful blend.
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Dessert / Mishti Recipes for Kali Puja
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A famous Milk-based Ring-shaped Bengali Sweet, Gujiya is one of its kind. This recipe will make around 20 Gujia
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Narkel Chapa is a Bengali dessert prepared with coconut. We make it using coconut paste, sugar, and a dash of camphor along with Khowa.
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Gurer Narkel Naru is a signature Bengali Sweet prepared with fresh grated coconut and Jaggery
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Kamalabhog is a signature Bengali orange flavored dessert which is a distant cousin of Roshogolla and first cousin of Rajbhog!
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Doodh Sooji aka Suji aka Mohanbhog is a milk and semolina-based Bengali versatile dessert which can be eaten as porridge, and often served as prasad.
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Kolar Bora aka Bengali Banana Fritter is a crispy sweet snack/ dessert prepared with ripe bananas.
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Shyama Puja, also known as Dipanwita Kalipuja, is a cherished tradition in Eastern India, especially among Bengali families. As part of this puja, we cook different items to offer bhog to Maa. These recipes are not just incredibly flavorful; they're also steeped in cultural meaning. To fully embrace the spirit of this festival in the Bengali way, be sure to savor these wonderful dishes!
Dear readers, if you have any favorite Kali Puja special recipes you'd like me to add, please let me know!
Frequently Asked Questions
Dipanwita Kali Puja, also called Kali Puja or Shyama Puja, is a Hindu festival mainly celebrated by Bengalis and other Kali worshippers in West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha. We honor the goddess Kali on the new moon day of the Kartik month. This festival represents the victory of good over evil. The celebration includes special rituals like eating Choddo-Saak, lighting fourteen diyas, creating alpona, and performing midnight pujas, all focused on worshipping the powerful and protective Mother Goddess Kali.
In Bengali culture, we also worship Ma Lakshmi on the eve of Deepavali, calling it Dipanwita Lokkhi puja. This day also celebrates Alakshmi Viday, the symbolic departure of bad luck.
In West Bengal, Kali Puja is a grand festival featuring a midnight worship dedicated to the goddess Kali. The celebration is a vibrant mix of firecrackers, offerings of red hibiscus flowers, sweets, and both vegetarian and non-vegetarian bhog.
Bhoot Chaturdashi is marked just the day before Kali Puja, sees Bengali families preparing a special dish of fourteen different leafy greens called "Choddo Shak." It's also a tradition to light fourteen earthen lamps, or "Choddo Prodeep". This is done to honor ancestors and keep away any negative energy.
The Kali Puja feast prepared by the Bengali community includes both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The vegetarian spread features classic Bengali favorites like Bhoger Khichuri, Labra, Panch Bhaja, Badhakopir Ghonto, Phulkopir Dalna, Chanar Dalna, and Payesh. A unique aspect of the offering is Niramish Mangsho - mutton cooked without onion and garlic - prepared the day after Kali Puja. Fish is also offered to the Goddess. Also, the day before Kali Puja, on Bhoot Chaturdoshi, a dish called Choddo Shak, made with 14 different types of greens, is cooked.
Dipanwita Kali Puja Special Recipe Videos to watch on my YouTube channel
Recipe Collection from Debjanir Rannaghar
- Durga Puja Special Recipes | 100 + Must-try Recipes during Durga Puja - Bengali-style
- Kojagari Lakshmi Puja Special Recipes | Must-try Bhog Recipes for Kojagori Lokkhi Pujo
- Janmashtami Special Recipes | Sweet and Savory Krishna Birthday Recipes
- 50+ Summer Recipe Ideas | Summer Recipe Collection | Summer Recipe Round-up
- 20+ Best Ilish Mach Recipes
- 50+ Iftar Recipe Ideas
- Raksha Bandhan Special Dessert Recipes
Diwali Recipes
- Halwai Style Balushahi!
- Motichur Ladoo | Motichur Laddu | Motichoor Laddu
- Gajar Ka Halwa | Gajar Halwa (also known as Gajrela or Carrot Halwa)
- Narkel diye Niramish Ghugni (also known as Bengali No Onion No Garlic Ghugni)
- Chocolate Burfi
- Chhena Poda (also known as Baked Chenna Poda or Chana Poda)
- Mysore Pak | Mysorepak recipe step by step
- Bedmi Poori Aur Aloo ki Sabzi
Have you tried the Dipanwita Kali Puja Special Recipes from Debjanir Rannaghar!
Please inform me of your experience, and feel free to send a photo to [email protected]. Additionally, you can find me on various social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Google News, X, and Thread. Don't forget to use the hashtag #debjanirrannaghar when sharing your attempts at my recipes or if you have any questions or recipe requests.
Here's the Bengali Kalipuja special Recipe collection Pin for your Pinterest Board
About Debjani Chatterjee Alam
I am Debjani Chatterjee Alam. A CSR specialist by profession and a food writer, food blogger, and food photographer as well. I live in Kolkata along with my Husband Mehebub who is an architect by profession, my daughter Pasta, and also my dog daughters Coffee and Luchi.
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