Kameshwar Pandey with others at Durgabati, Ranchi, on Tuesday. Like his forefathers, he is gearing up to prepare the dry bhog from Saptami. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Bikesh Pandey is only 19 years old, but is already shouldering a legendary legacy.

This Pandey family from Itkhori, Chatra, which Bikesh hails from, has been earning divine approbation for preparing dry bhog at the 132-year-old Durga Puja celebrations at Ranchi’s Durgabati.

His father Kameshwar Pandey, now 58, recalls how his own father and grandfather, Dilo Pandey and Hari Pandey, both deceased now, used to prepare bhog — luchi, chhena payesh, dahi and kalakand — for the divine mother at Durga Bati.

Kameshwar and Bikesh came to Ranchi from Itkhori on Panchami, Monday, to prepare dry bhog. Helping him coordinate is the Purulia-based Trilochan Mahto.

“My late grandfather Hari Pandey and late father Dilo Pandey were also especially invited here (to Durgabati). They were known to prepare delicious food,” Kameshwar, making preparations with son Bikesh at the kitchen behind Durgabati, said.

“My son will carry on with our tradition,” the doting father said, looking at Bikesh. “From Saptami to Navami, we will prepare dry bhog. Our speciality is abstaining from foodgrain. It’s a dry bhog offering to the goddess without foodgrain,” Pandey said.

On Dashami, they distribute bhog comprising chuda or chiwda (flattened rice) and dahi.

Asked how he learnt this culinary art, Pandey said it came from two things — observation and devotion.

“As a boy, I used to watch my father (the late Dilo Pandey) prepare the bhog. Then, I learnt on my own. Durga Ma’s blessings are on our family,” he said.

Sudhir Das (86), vice-president of Durgabati, appreciated the devotion of the Pandey family. “For generations, the Pandeys have magic in their hands. The bhog truly tastes divine though made with simple ingredients,” he said.

Devotee Nina Dutta, who has tasted this bhog for years, said: “Heavenly experience.”

Which is the most heavenly bhog offering that you have tasted? Tell ttkhand@abpmail.com