Why Khichuri tastes different only during Durga Puja?

Today marks the eighth day of Durga Puja, known as Ashtami. On this day, Maa-er bhog is made and served, awaited by multiple people. Known as Bhog-er Khichuri, the sacred khichdi is served in Durga Puja pandals and tastes beyond delicious and incomparable to any gourmet dish. While khichdi is something people also make at home, the one served in the pandals during Durga Puja tastes way different. Why is this so?

Special ingredients
Bhoger khichuri is an auspicious dish, one made to serve Durga Maa. Unlike the khichdi cooked at home, it carries with itself the blessings of the divinity, made without onion and garlic, to ensure its purity.

It's made with Gobindbhog rice, a fragrant, short-grained rice native to Bengal which leads to a distinctive aroma and richness in the khichuri. Seasonal vegetables such as potatoes, cauliflowers and peas also make a part of the dish to add more texture and variety.

Without onion and garlic, other whole spices such as bay leaf, cumin, ginger, dry red chillies and sometimes garam masala are added at different points to affect the flavour. With the last dollop of ghee enhancing the richness, the khichuri tastes unlike any other.

Cooking methods


Since it is cooked for large crowds, the khichuri is cooked in large cauldrons causing it to develop a different flavour due to the heat distribution, slow simmering and retention of steam contributing to deeper cooking. Many recipes also involve roasting some spices before adding the rice and lentils, which elevates the flavour rather than boiling them all.

Serving style
The holy ambience of the Durga pandal makes everything associated with holiness more intense and emotional. It is often paired with labra, a mied vegetable curry, beguni or bhaja, fried vegetables and payesh, a sweet dish, to complement its taste.

Bhoger kichuri is more than just a serving to a goddess, it carries with it years of history, culture, traditions and devotion that enrich it with a taste and emotion that knows no bounds, making for one of the most exciting memories of Pujo.