Navratri Special- Kali Mata Temple Where Bhog Is Noodles

There is nothing different about the Kali idol. But one look at the `bhog' - noodles, chopsuey, rice-and-vegetables dishes - and you realize this isn't just any Kali temple.

In the heart of Kolkata's Tangra area, India's own Chinatown, stands this unique symbol of cross-cultural assimilation. The `Chinese Kali Temple' (so the marble plaque says) is not only a bridge between Chinese and Indian cultures, but also strengthens bonds within the Chinese community.

For most of the year, the ethnic Chinese and their Hindu neighbours rarely mingle. But on Kali Puja, most Chinese residents of Tangra take the day off and get together in front of the temple. On the average weekday, you would catch the Chinese residents pause, take off their shoes, and pray for a moment in front of the idol.

"Kali Puja is special for us. Our activities start early in the morning. Most of us have been given our responsibilities for the day. Some get the flowers, some fruits and sweets for the prasad and a few oversee the preparations. The pandit (a Bengali Brahmin) comes here every day for the morning and evening aarti," says an enthusiastic Ison Chen. The 55-year-old has been selected by the community to be in-charge of the temple.

But how did the temple start off? The site is about 60 years old, says Ison. In those days, it was a couple of sindoor-smeared black stones under an old tree. Local people worshiped these stones. Seeing them, the Chinese started following suit.