Customers buy mutton from a meat shop. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Aug. 31: After resisting temptation for two months, devotees of Lord Shiva are giving in to their food of desire.

The devotees, who had to stick to plain vegetarian items during the month of Shravan, will make a bee line for meat shops on Wednesday, the first “non-vegetarian” day after Shravan.

Many devotees, who stick to vegetarianism during Shravan, have geared up to dump their green diet on Wednesday. To them, the ideal way to celebrate the end of Shravan is with dishes of fish, mutton and chicken.

“With the end of Shravan, I have decided to enjoy non-vegetarian dishes. As Wednesday is the first ‘non-vegetarian’ day after Shravan, I want to celebrate the day with meat items,” said Deepak Sharma, a resident of Dhurwa.

“I like mutton, fish and chicken with wine but for religious reasons I kept away from these during Shravan. Usually, the period of Shravan is only for a month but due to malmas, this time, it lasted for two months, compelling people like me to live on a diet of vegetables for one more month,” he added.

Shiva devotees from different parts of the city said they were tempted to eat fish and meat items from today but decided to stick to leafy items for one more day.

“One should restrain from eating meat on Tuesdays and keep themselves away from non-vegetarian items during Shravan, the month devoted to Lord Shiva. Shravan ended yesterday. Technically, one could start eating meat from today, but the day being a Tuesday, people will abstain from meat and fish items for one more day,” said Sanjay Singh, who offered special prayers to Lord Shiva during Shravan.

Meat-sellers are all geared up to cater to the demands of those who have been craving for meat.

“For the past two months, our business has been poor. I expect a rush of customers on Wednesday. I have purchased 50 extra goats and 200 extra chicken to meet the demand,” said Jamil Akhtar, a meat-shop owner.

Firoz Ali and Mohammed Hanif opened their new shop, Chhotanagpur Meat Shop, at Bahu Bazar and are gearing up to meet the demand.

“They invited Ranchi Municipal Corporation medical officer Rekha Rani Singh to inaugurate his shop. At present, boiler chicken costs Rs 45-50 per kg whereas mutton costs Rs 120 to Rs 140 per kg. Meat-lovers expect a rise in prices after the Shravan.”

A senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad functionary, Shyam Narayan Dubey, expressed concern over such behaviour.

“One should not show weakness for meat items. The weakness will reduce the spiritual power of a person who has gained it after two months of regular prayers to Lord Shiva during Shravan,” he added.