All about Chhappan Bhog

CHHAPPAN BHOG

Food has always been a major part of all our celebrations, large and small. Of them, the Chhappan Bhog has to be the heartiest, with as many as 56 dishes prepared for Lord Krishna, during Janmashtami and also for Govardhan puja post Diwali.

But why 56?

Legend has it that Lord Krishna held up the Govardhan mountain for seven days at a stretch to protect the villagers and livestock. Now apparently Shri Krishna was known to typically have 8 meals a day. Once the rains stopped, the villagers offered their thanksgiving by preparing the Annakuta or mountain of food made up of the 8 meals per day multiplied times 7 & hence, 56.


The actual dishes vary between different regions based on different factors. Typical offerings included in the Chhappan Bhog comprise of a variety of cereals, fruits and dry fruits, vegetable preparations, sweets, beverages, savouries and chutneys and pickles, even. Apart from the customary favourites of Butter, yogurt, Ghee, Rice, there are others that range from Mohan Bhog, Shakkarpara, Ghewar, Rabri, Shrikhand to Khichdi, rice, Puri, Saag (cooked greens), Kadhi, as also dry nuts, papad, chutneys, murabba, the list goes on. Of these, the dairy and sweet preparations are placed closest to the Lord as they are believed to be dearer to His palate.

But beyond the concept and legend behind the ritual, there is a larger philosophy at work. One that intrigues me more. Our five fingers have five rasas – Sweet, Salty, Sour, Spicy and Savoury. When we cook with our hands, these five rasas get transferred to the food. Interestingly, Rasa can also connote the kind of relationship one can have with Shri Krishna. These are five in number too – Santa, Dasya, Sakya, Vatsalya and Madhurya.

Rasa, in simpler terms, is a source of emotion, likewise, food is a source of emotion too, it brings joy, brings back memories & opens up conversations.

When food is prepared for & offered to God, Lord Krishna in this case, it is believed to become even more sacred. In Sri Jagannath Temple, Puri, it's a daily ritual to offer no less than 56 dishes to the deity.

At the Shri SwamiNarayan temple in London, every year the Annakut is a grand display that stretches over seven tiers, with more than a thousand dishes, stretching over 85 feet!

So, all of this food, being 'accepted' by Krishna & then distributed among his devotees symbolises the Rasas or relationship with Him being established, through food in the case of Chhappan bhog. So, this Janmashtami, let's celebrate the Rasas of our oneness with God with the Rasas in food.

#HappyJanmashtami #StayBlessed

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