Shardiya Navratri 2024: The festival of Shardiya Navratri, one of the most significant events for Hindu devotees, began on Thursday, October 3, 2024, and will continue until October 12, culminating in Dussehra. During this time, devotees across India engage in various rituals to honor and please the goddess, offering a range of prasad (offerings) such as laddus, pedas, and barfi, among other delicacies.
However, amidst the traditional offerings, there is a temple in Nagaur district of Rajasthan where a rather unusual prasad is presented to the goddess—liquor. This practice has been in place for hundreds of years, making the Bhanwal Mata temple stand out for its distinctive customs. The temple, which venerates a form of Kali Mata, holds a special ritual where liquor is offered to the goddess, and it is believed that she even consumes it.
Bhanwal Mata: The Goddess Who Accepts Liquor as Prasad
Bhanwal Mata, regarded as an incarnation of the Kali Mata, resides in a temple located in the village of Bhanwal in Nagaur district, Rajasthan. Unlike many other temples where traditional sweets are offered as prasad, this temple presents liquor to the goddess. Only two and a half cups of liquor are offered during the ritual, and devotees believe that the goddess consumes this offering.
One of the most intriguing aspects of this temple is that the liquor is offered to the goddess in a silver cup. According to the priest and local beliefs, the liquor vanishes from the cup after it is presented to the deity. This ritual is performed three times, but on the third occasion, the cup remains half full. It is believed that the goddess accepts exactly two and a half cups of liquor and leaves the remaining portion as a sign of her acceptance.
Temple's Unique History: Built by Bandits
The history of the Bhanwal Mata temple is as unique as its rituals. According to local legend, the temple was constructed by bandits. These bandits, after looting a nearby village, sought refuge in the area where the temple now stands.
When the king’s army arrived to apprehend them, the bandits prayed to Bhanwal Mata for protection. It is said that the goddess responded by transforming the king's soldiers into sheep and goats, allowing the bandits to escape. In gratitude for her divine intervention, the bandits built a grand temple in her honor and began worshiping her.
The temple itself, constructed from red stone, has been standing for centuries. Inscriptions found within the temple suggest that it dates back to before the 12th century. Its ancient architecture and deep historical roots make it one of the renowned Shaktipeeths (holy places dedicated to the goddess Shakti) in Rajasthan, attracting lakhs of devotees from across the country.
Dual Deities of the Sanctum: Brahmani Mata and Kali Mata
Inside the sanctum of the Bhanwal Mata temple, two idols of goddesses are worshiped. The first is Brahmani Mata, whose idol is positioned on the right. She is offered traditional sweets as prasad, much like the rituals observed in other temples across India. On the left, however, stands the idol of Kali Mata, also known as Bhanwal Mata, to whom liquor is offered. The coexistence of these two forms of the goddess within the same temple adds to its uniqueness, symbolizing the diverse forms of the divine feminine in Hinduism.
A Sacred Space for Devotees
For centuries, the Bhanwal Mata temple has been a place of deep spiritual significance for many devotees. People visit this temple to offer prayers and make wishes, believing in the goddess’s power to fulfill their desires. The temple's distinctive practices, its rich history, and its position among the famous Shaktipeeths of Rajasthan make it a major attraction for pilgrims, especially during the festival of Navratri.
While many Hindu devotees celebrate Navratri with traditional offerings, the Bhanwal Mata temple presents a fascinating departure from the norm. The offering of liquor as prasad and the deep-rooted legend of the bandits who built the temple illustrate the diversity of customs and beliefs within Hinduism. This temple, with its blend of history, legend, and unique rituals, continues to captivate and draw devotees from all corners of India.