New Delhi. Janmashtami 2024: The practice of offering 'Chhappan Bhog' to Lord Krishna has been going on for centuries. The plate of 56 bhogs has cultural importance, but it is also very special from the religious point of view. With the changing times, this plate has started being prepared according to the local cuisine, which is a symbol of people's immense love and beauty for Indian food. Keeping these things in mind, a plate of 56 bhogs (56 Bhogs Of Lord Krishna) is prepared for Lord Krishna, which includes sweet, salty and sour to spicy, astringent and bitter dishes. Let us tell you how this concept started.

How did 'Chhappan Bhog' start

According to the legend, the people of Braj were busy in a special event to please the king of heaven, Indra. Then little Krishna asked Nand Baba what kind of event are these Brajvasis going to organize? Then Nand Baba said that with this worship, Devraj Indra will be pleased and will bring good rain. On this, Bal Krishna said that rain is Indra's job, so what is the need of worship in it? If we have to worship, then we should worship Govardhan mountain from which people get lots of fruits and vegetables and there is a provision of fodder for animals. In such a situation, the people of Braj liked these words of Krishna and they started worshiping Govardhan mountain instead of Indra.

The story is related to Govardhan mountain

Due to the worship of Govardhan, the king of gods Indra became very angry and started showing his wrath by raining heavily in Braj. In such a situation, the people of Braj reached Nand Baba's house in fear and Shri Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan mountain with the finger of his left hand, under whose shelter the people of Braj got protection. According to the story, Lord Krishna kept lifting Govardhan mountain for 7 days without eating or drinking anything, on the eighth day the rain stopped and the people of Braj came out. Govardhan mountain not only protected the people of Braj from Indra's wrath but in the meantime the people of Braj also got to see the wonderful leela of Bal Krishna.

In such a situation, everyone knew that Krishna had not eaten anything for seven days. Then everyone started asking mother Yashoda how she feeds her Lalla, then everyone came to know that mother Yashoda feeds her Kanha eight times a day. In such a situation, Brijvasis brought 8 dishes prepared for each day from their homes for seven days, which Krishna liked. In this way, Chhappan Bhog started and since then this belief came into existence that Lord Krishna is very happy with the Prasad of 56 Bhog.

Which dishes are included in the 56 offerings?

The dishes offered in Chhappan Bhog include panjiri, butter-sugar, kheer, rasgulla, jalebi, rabri, cumin-laddu, malpua, Mohanbhog, moong dal halwa, ghevar, peda, cashew-almond barfi, pistachio barfi, panchamrit, cow ghee, shakar para, mathri, chutney, jam, mango, banana, grapes, apple, plum, raisins, pakoras, greens, curd, rice, curry, chilla, papad, khichdi, brinjal curry, dudhi ki sabzi, puri, tikki, porridge, desi ghee, honey, white-butter, fresh cream, kachori, roti, coconut water, almond milk, buttermilk, shikanji, gram, sweet rice, bhujia, betel nut, fennel, betel leaf and nuts.