Liquor as Prasad: Punjab's unique langar where wishes come true

Kotkapura (The Uttam Hindu): On the sacred occasion of Chaitra Navratri in Kotkapura, Punjab, a scene that might surprise the common people was witnessed. A liquor langar was set up at the Baba Kala Maher memorial fair in the village of Marhana. Benches were placed outside the temple, displaying bottles of Indian and foreign liquor. Devotees were seen making drinks on the tables and distributing and serving liquor to people as prasad.

Every devotee offers liquor and also takes it home as 'prasad'

People, especially those from the Sandhu clan, have unwavering faith in Baba Kala Maher. Hardly any devotee arrives to pay obeisance at Baba's shrine without consuming alcohol. Depending on their faith and status, people offer everything from local liquor to expensive branded liquor. It is believed that after offering the liquor, devotees can take it home as prasad or drink it right there. This unique langar continues from morning till evening at the fair, drawing huge crowds of people to partake of the prasad.

Newly married couples come from far and wide to have children

Women devotees also have deep faith in the shrine of Baba Kala Maher. Newly married couples, especially those who are newlyweds, come from far and wide to this shrine, hoping to have children. They offer liquor and make a wish. People have an unwavering belief that no one leaves Baba's shrine empty-handed. When their wishes are fulfilled, devotees return once again with their children to thank Baba and offer liquor.

Why did this unique tradition of offering liquor begin?

There's a deep mythological history behind this unique tradition. It's said that Baba's ancestors, originally from Ghazni, Afghanistan, migrated from Lahore and settled in a forest near Kotkapura, where Baba Kala Maher was born. Legend has it that one day, while grazing cattle, he encountered Guru Gorakhnath, after which he received divine enlightenment. Following this, the Sandhu clan living nearby began to worship him. It's believed that Baba described alcohol as "nectar," a divine color, which began the unique tradition of offering alcohol and serving it as a langar at this shrine.