Durga Puja and Navratri: Of the culinary clash of cultures and some ‘vegetarian’ mutton by Bengalis
However, the day after Ashtami, Navami, is when the feasting resumes in full swing. Traditionally, mutton is prepared after the ceremonial sacrifice of a goat during the pujas. Nowadays, the sacrificial goat has been replaced by watermelon or sugarcane, which is anointed with a sindoor tikka and then “sacrificed”.