56 Bhoga of Puri — Pictorial Cards

❓ What is the 56 Bhoga of Lord Jagannath?

The 56 Bhoga (Chhappan Bhoga) refers to the fifty-six types of food offerings made to Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Devi Subhadra inside the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. It is believed that Lord Jagannath eats eight meals every day, and over seven days this adds up to 56 — hence the divine term “Chhappan Bhoga”.

❓ Why is 56 Bhoga offered to Lord Jagannath?

According to temple tradition, when Lord Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill for seven days to protect the people of Gokul from Indra’s wrath, he could not eat for all those days. After seven days, the people of Gokul prepared 56 varieties of food to express their devotion. The same is followed at Puri as a symbolic offering to Lord Jagannath — the living form of Krishna Himself.

❓ What types of food are included in the 56 Bhoga?

The 56 Bhoga includes a blend of rice, dal, vegetables, sweets, cakes, drinks, and savouries. Some popular items include Dalma (dal with vegetables), Suji Khiri (milk with semolina), Kanika (flavoured rice with ghee and raisins), Amalu (Malpua), Arisha (sweet rice cake), Podo Pitha (baked rice cake), Khiri (milk rice pudding), and Ghia Anna (ghee rice). Each dish is cooked with devotion and offered at specific times of the day.

❓ How many times a day is food offered to the Deities?

In the Jagannath Temple, food is offered six times daily — during different rituals throughout the day, from morning to night. Each offering is prepared freshly in the temple’s holy kitchen, known as the Rosaghara, which is said to be the largest kitchen in the world.

❓ What is the significance of Mahaprasad?

Once the food is offered to the Deities, it becomes Mahaprasad — blessed food that carries divine energy and is believed to remove sins, bestow peace, and unite devotees beyond caste, creed, and religion. It is called “Anna Brahma” — food that itself becomes God.

❓ Where is Mahaprasad distributed?

After offering, the 56 Bhoga becomes Mahaprasad and is taken to the Ananda Bazaar inside the temple premises. This is the only marketplace in the world where cooked food offered to God is sold openly and shared among devotees. Anyone — irrespective of caste, creed, or religion — can eat together here, symbolizing the unity of all under Lord Jagannath.

❓ How is the Mahaprasad cooked?

The Mahaprasad is cooked by Suara and Mahasuar sevayats (temple cooks) in more than 752 earthen pots placed over wood-fired clay stoves. A unique divine phenomenon is that even though the pots are stacked one over the other, the top pot cooks first — considered a miracle of Lord Jagannath’s power.

❓ Can devotees take 56 Bhoga home?

Yes. Devotees can purchase Mahaprasad from stalls inside the Ananda Bazaar of the Jagannath Temple or near the temple gates. Many local vendors also sell freshly prepared Abadha (the temple meal) throughout Puri. It is also available in sealed boxes at major festivals like Rath Yatra and Snana Purnima.

❓ What is the difference between Bhoga and Mahaprasad?

Bhoga is the food before it is offered to Lord Jagannath. Once it is sanctified and blessed by the Deity, it becomes Mahaprasad. Only after the ritual offering and distribution by the Pujs and Suara sevayats can devotees partake in it.

❓ What is “Pahili Bhoga” and when is it offered?

Pahili Bhoga is a special morning offering made during the Pahili Bhoga period — typically in the winter month of Margasira (November–December). It marks a symbolic time when Devi Lakshmi, the consort of Lord Jagannath, visits her parental home. During this period, Lord Jagannath prepares his own meals — a gesture of self-sufficiency and divine simplicity.

Pahili Bhoga consists of humble yet sacred dishes like Usuna Rice (boiled rice), Kanji (fermented rice gruel), Dali (lentil soup), Ghia Anna (ghee rice), and Pitha (rice cakes). It signifies devotion through simplicity and the message that God rejoices even in modest offerings made with love.

❓ Can non-Hindus or foreigners have Mahaprasad?

While non-Hindus are not permitted inside the temple sanctum, anyone — irrespective of religion — can partake in the Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazaar or the stalls near the temple compound. It is considered an act of unity and universal love, as Jagannath means “Lord of the Universe”.

❓ What spiritual message does the 56 Bhoga carry?

The 56 Bhoga teaches that food is divine when prepared with love and offered in humility. It also conveys the message of inclusivity — where everyone, regardless of background, shares the same sacred food. This act of eating together, known as Mahaprasad Seva, represents equality and surrender before God.

❓ What time can devotees buy or eat Mahaprasad?

Mahaprasad becomes available after each offering — typically from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM and again in the evening. During festivals, it is served almost throughout the day in Ananda Bazaar. Devotees can sit and enjoy or carry it home wrapped in banana leaves or earthen pots, maintaining its sanctity.

❓ How can I experience or order 56 Bhoga outside Puri?

While the authentic 56 Bhoga is only prepared within the Shri Jagannath Temple by authorized sevayats, devotees can experience symbolic offerings or Chhappan Bhog ceremonies at Jagannath temples worldwide. Many temples in Bhubaneswar, Delhi, Mumbai, and abroad organize special 56 Bhoga Sevas during Rath Yatra and Janmashtami.

❓ What makes Puri Mahaprasad unique compared to other temple offerings in India?

Puri Mahaprasad is unique because it is cooked in earthen pots using traditional firewood without tasting or adding onion, garlic, or foreign ingredients. Its sanctity is believed to remain intact even if taken outside the temple — a rare divine phenomenon. It is not merely food but a sacred spiritual experience connecting devotee and deity.