At the heart of Puri’s Jagannath Temple lies the tradition of offering 56 varieties of food daily to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra. This ritual, known as Chhappan Bhog, holds spiritual, cultural, and historical depth. The number 56 symbolizes the eight daily meals, and devotees continue to honor that moment through this daily offering.
Mythological Roots of 56 Bhog
The origin of Chhappan Bhog dates back to Lord Krishna’s Govardhan Leela. When Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill for seven days without eating his regular eight meals each day, devotees later began offering 56 meals daily to make up for those missed meals. Lord Jagannath, believed to be an incarnation of Krishna, receives this daily offering with the same spirit of love and gratitude.
The Sacred Kitchen of Puri
The Rosaghara, or temple kitchen, is unmatched in scale and sanctity. All cooking is done using earthen pots over wood-fired stoves. The fire is drawn from the sacred Homa Agni, and no metal utensils or modern techniques are used.
Over 600 cooks and 240 hearths operate in silence and discipline, preparing food that is first offered to the deities and then to Goddess Bimala, only after which it becomes Mahaprasad.
Spiritual Power of Mahaprasad
Scriptures such as the Skanda Purana regard Mahabhog as a medium of divine blessing. Eating it is believed to cleanse sins and purify the soul. What makes it exceptional is that it is shared without caste or status barriers, reinforcing the principle of spiritual equality.
Scientific Benefits of the Maha Bhog
Beyond devotion, the offerings reflect nutritional intelligence rooted in ancient food science:
- Balanced nutrition: The meals include rice, lentils, vegetables, milk products, sweets, and fermented foods, covering a wide nutritional spectrum.
- Earthen pot cooking: This method retains minerals and avoids harmful chemical reactions that occur in metallic vessels.
- Fermented dishes like Pakhala aid digestion and boost gut health.
- No onion and garlic ensures the Sattvic (pure) quality of food, promoting mental clarity and calmness.
- The use of ghee and turmeric in many preparations offers natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
A Ritual of Devotion and Wellness
The six bhogs offered throughout the day, from Gopala Vallabha Bhog in the morning to Bada Srungara Bhog at night, mirror the human body’s ideal food rhythm: light in the morning, rich at midday, and simple at night. Each item is prepared with intention, purity, and prayer, making it food for both body and soul.
Maha Bhog is the Prasad infused with faith, tradition, and wisdom. It nourishes the body, elevates the spirit, and connects millions of devotees to Lord Jagannath through a divine act of sharing and community.
Feature Image Credit: Pinterest.
