Jul 18, 2025, 12:58 PM IST

7 sacred Indian temples where meat, alcohol are offered as 'prasad'

Rishika Baranwal

Across India, a few temples; dedicated to fierce deities or rooted in tantric traditions, serve meat, fish, or even alcohol as prasad, challenging usual vegetarian norms.

Kamakhya Temple, Assam: A revered Shakti Peetha in Guwahati where goat meat and sometimes fish are offered to Goddess Kamakhya between 1-2 PM. The temple closes during the non‑veg bhog ritual. No onion or garlic are used in preparation.

Tarapith Temple, West Bengal: Devotees offer goat meat and local 'sol mach' (fish) along with alcohol (Karan Sudha) to Maa Tara. These tantric-style bhogs are shared with worshippers as prasad, especially during special rituals.

Kalighat Temple, Kolkata: One of the 51 Shakti Peethas, Kalighat practices daily animal sacrifice. While Goddess Kali receives vegetarian bhog, her attendant deities: Dakinis/Yoginis, receive meat, which is later cooked and shared as prasad by devotees.

Kaal Bhairav Temple, Madhya Pradesh: At the Kaal Bhairav Temple in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, offering alcohol to the deity is a centuries-old tradition. Devotees believe that Lord Kal Bhairav accept the liquor presented to him. The leftover alcohol is then distributed among devotees as blessed prasad.

Muniyandi Swami Temple, Tamil Nadu: Every year in Vadakkampatti, near Madurai, over 2,000 kg of chicken and mutton biryani is prepared and distributed as prasad in a 3‑day festival devoted to Lord Muniyandi (Shiva).

Tarkulha Devi Temple, Uttar Pradesh: At the annual Chaitra Navratri Khichdi Mela in Gorakhpur, devotees who have their wishes granted sacrifice a goat. The meat is cooked in clay pots and served as prasad to the pilgrims.

Parassinikadavu Temple (Lord Muthappan), Kerala: This Kerala temple worships Lord Muthappan with offerings of fried or baked fish and toddy. Daily Theyyam rituals accompany the prasad, served freely to devotees of all castes and faiths.

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