Chappan Bhog is a kind of special prasad that consists of 56 food items that are offered to Lord Krishna on Krishna Janmashtami. This year the festival will be celebrated on 30th August. This day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, who is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this blissful day, let’s remember the story of Lord Krishna and his relation to 56 dishes in “Chappan Bhog”.
The story behind 56 bhog:
If you are thinking why the prasad offered to Lord Krishna on Govardhan Puja on Janmashtami contains 56 dishes, not one more or less, well there is a story behind it.
The farmers of Vrindavan used to offer rich foods to Lord Indra, the god of storm and rain so that he would remain happy and bless them with timely rainfall and a good harvest. Little Krishna found this practice to be unfair to the farmers. He told them to stop offering this meal. The lack of a luxurious feast made Lord Indra angry and he sent torrential rains to the small village of Vrindavan. The rains continued for days and resulted in a flood.
In order to save people from drowning, Lord Krishna called everyone to Govardhan Parvat and lifted it on this little finger so that everyone can take refuge under it. He stood still holding the mountain for 7 days until Lord Indra realised his mistake and cleared the rain. During these 7 days, Lord Krishna did not have a single grain of food. It is said that he usually had 8 dishes every day. Therefore, at the end of the seventh day, people of Vrindavan cooked 56 dishes (8 dishes x 7 days) and offered to him as an expression of gratitude. Isn’t it magnificent?
What does the chappan bhog contain?
There are two kinds of food in this assortment. The first is Sankuni, which includes different types of rice, kheer, vegetables, dal etc. The second one being Sukhila, which comprises dry sweets.
The thali has Lord Krishna’s favourite dishes and usually includes cereal, fruits, dry fruits, sweets, drinks, namkeen and pickles in quantities of seven under each category. There are also variations wherein some people offer 16 kinds of namkeen, 20 kinds of sweets and 20 kinds of dry fruits. Some of the common items found in the Chappan Bhog are makhan mishri, kheer, rasgulla, jeera ladoo, jalebi, rabri, mathri, malpua, mohanbhog, chutney, murabba, saag, dahi, rice, dal, kadi, ghewar, chila, papad, moong dal ka halwa, pakoda, khichadi, brinjal ka sabji, lauki ka sabji, poori, badam milk, tikkis, cashews, almonds, pistachios, and elachi among others. The bhog is usually set in a particular sequence, starting with milk items, then the besan-based treats and salty food, and ending with sweets, dry fruits and cardamom.
The food is first offered to Krishna ji, and then distributed among all the devotees and priests.
