The annual Bodgeshwar temple fair in North Goa's Mapusa has implemented a strict ban on the sale of two popular street food items this year. The Shri Bodgeshwar Temple Committee has prohibited food stalls from selling gobi manchurian and tandoori chicken, citing major public health risks due to unhygienic preparation practices.
Why the Ban Was Implemented
Committee president Vaman Pandit explained that the decision followed numerous complaints over the years. He stated that these specific dishes are often prepared in poor and unhygienic conditions at temporary roadside stalls during the fair. Pandit highlighted specific concerns, including the use of synthetic colours, Ajinomoto (monosodium glutamate), and low-quality sauces by vendors. The sight of raw chicken pieces hanging openly at some stalls also contributed to the committee's ruling.
"The committee has taken a decision that we shall not give permission for [stalls selling] gobi manchurian. For non-vegetarian, there are two segments… those who sell tandoori chicken and other live cooking stalls, we have said no to these, too," Pandit told The Indian Express.
What Food is Allowed at the Fair?
While the ban targets specific items, it is not a blanket restriction on all food vendors. The committee has allowed local shops selling traditional Goan fare to operate. This includes stalls serving omelette pao and Goan xacuti chicken.
However, even for permitted stalls, strict conditions have been enforced. Vendors must possess valid licenses from the Directorate of Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from all concerned departments. The committee emphasized that stalls have been set up this year with proper planning and adherence to regulations.
A Recurring Issue in Goa
This is not the first time authorities in Goa have moved against gobi manchurian stalls at religious festivals. In 2024, the Mapusa Municipal Council passed a unanimous resolution to ban its sale at the Bodgeshwar zatra. Earlier, in 2022, the state FDA had instructed the Mormugao Municipal Council in South Goa to restrict the number of stalls selling the dish during the Shree Damodar temple fair in Vasco.
The iconic Indian-Chinese snack, consisting of fried cauliflower florets tossed in a spicy red chilli masala sauce, is a staple at many such events. This year's Bodgeshwar fair began on Friday, marking the start of the new regulations aimed at ensuring visitor safety and food hygiene.
