Chembur: Bottle of whisky, rum, vodka and other forms of liquor are presented to Baba Bhairon Nath, the deity of a shrine in Chembur on the occasion of ‘Kartik Ekadashi’. Devotees wait for a whole year to offer alcohol to the diety on this day.
Bhairon Nath is considered as an incarnation of Hindu god Shiva. Devotees visit the temple, that was built about four decades ago, on Kartik Ekadashi as per the Hindu calendar. After offering to the deity, devotees drink this liquor as ‘prasad’, mentions India Today.
The temple’s caretaker, Ramesh Lohana said: “Kartik Ekadashi is the holiest day for us, we wait for this day the whole year. Thousands of devotees from all faiths throng the temple that day to offer liquor.”
The tradition is being carried for last forty years, he added.
Lohana said that there are several references about offering liquor in their mythology.
Local MLA Prakash Phaterpekar said “I am a staunch follower of Baba Bhairon Nath. Whenever I have come to his doorstep, he has been kind enough to fulfil my wishes. That’s why I have taken a keen interest in the makeover of the temple out of my own pocket.”