Braj Kitchen · Festival
What is Chhappan Bhog? The 56 offerings to Krishna
Chhappan Bhog, literally "56 offerings," is the tradition of offering 56 dishes to Krishna and then sharing them among devotees as prasad. Chappan means 56 and bhog means food first offered to the deity. The number comes from the Govardhan story: Krishna held up the hill for seven days, and on the eighth, grateful Braj villagers offered him 8 meals times 7 days, that is 56 dishes.
The meaning of Chhappan Bhog
"The word chappan translates to 56 and bhog means food that is first offered to the deity and later on distributed among devotees as Prasad."[1] In the Braj region the festival of Govardhan Puja, the day after Diwali, is the great Chhappan Bhog occasion. Wikipedia notes that "festivals in Braj region are associated with Chhapan Bhog tradition where fifty six special food items are offered to Krishna and then distributed among its devotees."[2]
Why 56? The Govardhan story
The number is not random. According to legend, the people of Braj used to offer lavish meals to Indra, the rain god. Krishna urged them to honour Govardhan hill instead, which sheltered them. An angered Indra sent a flood, and "Lord Krishna came to their rescue and lifted the huge Gowardhan Parvat and placed it at the tip of his little finger to protect his villagers. The rain continued for 7 days and Lord Krishna stood there still continuously holding the mountain."[1]
His mother Yashoda normally fed him eight times a day, but for those seven days he ate nothing. So "at the end of the seventh day, once the rains abated, the villagers offered a total of 56 dishes (8 meals multiplied by 7 days) to Lord Krishna, out of gratitude."[1] Eight meals, seven days, 56 offerings.
What is in the 56 bhog?
The 56 dishes are traditionally balanced across categories. One common breakdown is "18 sweets, 12 savouries, 9 fruits and dry fruits, 6 dairy items, 6 rice and grain dishes, and 5 sacred offerings."[1] The exact items vary by region and temple, but these are the kinds of dishes that appear:
Sweets (mithai)
- Peda
- Gulab jamun
- Mohanthal
- Ladoo
- Malpua
- Moong dal halwa
- Rabdi
- Jalebi
Dairy and sacred offerings
- Makhan-mishri (fresh butter with rock sugar)
- Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)
- Kheer
- Fresh curd and milk
Savouries and grains
- Dal, chawal and kadhi
- Khichdi
- Dhaniya panjiri
- Assorted namkeen and fried savouries
Fruits and dry fruits
- Seasonal fresh fruits
- Murabba (preserves)
- Assorted dry fruits
Common across lists are "Makhan Mishri, Panchamrut, Kheer, Gulab Jamun, Peda, Mohanthal, Halwa, Ladoo Dhaniya Panjiri, Moong Dal Halwa, Malpua, Rabdi, Dal Chawal Kadhi, Khichdi, Murabba, fresh fruits and dry fruits."[1] All of it is vegetarian and sattvik, in keeping with prasad.
Chhappan Bhog at Mathurawala
Many of the 56 items, peda, rabdi, jalebi, kheer, are part of our everyday Braj kitchen, made fresh. For Janmashtami, Govardhan Puja and Diwali we can put together festive bhog-style boxes. Message us to plan one.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chhappan Bhog only for Krishna?
It is most associated with Krishna in the Braj tradition, tied to the Govardhan story. A 56-dish offering is also made to Lord Jagannath at Puri, with its own traditions.
When is Chhappan Bhog offered?
Most prominently at Govardhan Puja, the day after Diwali, and also at Janmashtami and other Braj festivals.
Is all of it vegetarian?
Yes. As prasad, the 56 bhog is entirely vegetarian and sattvik, with no onion or garlic.
Plan a festive bhog box with us
Fresh peda, rabdi, jalebi and more for Janmashtami, Govardhan Puja and Diwali.
Ask about festive boxesSources
- The Daily Jagran, "Govardhan Puja: 56 Bhog Significance And Dish Names": thedailyjagran.com
- Wikipedia, "Braj cuisine": en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Braj_cuisine