Let’s face it, the best part of visiting a temple is the mouthwatering prasad (offering) and one can never get enough of it. However, imagine getting noodles, momos, chopsuey, fried veggies and other Chinese food items as prasad? Sounds yummy right? Well, it’s not just an imaginary thing. A temple in Kolkata actually offers Chinese dishes as prasad.
The Chinese Kali temple, popularly known as Chinese Kali Bari located in Matheswartala Road, Tangra, Kolkata is where Chinese delicacies are served as prasad and the story behind the custom will leave you stunned.
So, the reason behind this special offering is that it was believed that this temple was created after a large group of Chinese refugees came to India during the 1930s Civil war in China.
It is said that these migrants took shelter in Tangra, Kolkata and their presence brought a cultural influence to the region and started offering their cuisine as prasad to the Goddess. and now this place is known as China Town
However, the migration did not diminish the local cultural values; rather this amalgamation has given us the most loved cuisine known as the Indo-Chinese cuisine popularly known as desi Chinese.
It is believed that this temple was erected about 60 years ago after a Chinese migrant saw Goddess Kali in his dream and started building a temple to dedicate to her with the others in the region.
The interiors and other rituals of this Chinese temple are much like other Kali temples. From red hibiscus garlands to red attire to observing rituals, everything is the same except the prasad. Even the daily offerings to the deity are different, they mostly offer sweets, biscuits and flowers.
Another interesting fact about this temple is that handmade papers are burnt here to keep the evil spirits at bay. During Diwali celebrations, tall candles are lit here with Chinese incense sticks. Thus, even the aroma at this temple is distinctive from other main Hindu temples in the country.
