List Of Sacred

Bhog Dishes

Offered To Goddess Lakshmi

Quick Summary

Lights and rangoli may set the scene, but the true heart of Lakshmi Puja lies in the sacred bhog. This age-old ritual involves offering delicious, lovingly prepared bhog to Goddess Lakshmi as a symbol of devotion and gratitude. From gur ka halwa to malpua, here are a couple of festive bhogs that bring together flavour and good fortune.

Deep Dive   

There are many things that make Lakshmi Puja truly special, and one of them is preparing bhog. The ritual is deeply enriched when devotees offer bhog, a sacred meal, to the Goddess, rather than simply lighting flickering diyas and offering flowers. Whether it’s Panchamrit, the golden warmth of Gur ka Halwa, or the playful sweetness of Boondi Ladoo, these aren’t just delicious treats, they are heartfelt offerings to Goddess Lakshmi. 

Immerse yourself in the world of traditional bhog and learn the importance of preparing these auspicious bhogs.

Gur ka Halwa

The classic bhog dish Gur ka Halwa is just like any other semolina halwa, with a twist of being sweetened with jaggery (gur) rather than refined sugar. Its earthy sweetness and deep taste make it stand out. Jaggery is perfect since it is a less processed sweetener, which means it is frequently thought of as more pure and closer to the abundance of nature, perfect to offer to Goddess Lakshmi.

Khichuri 

The Lakshmi Puja bhog in Bengal is not complete without the addition of Khichuri, a dish made with aromatic rice and moong dal, and Labra, a mixed vegetable preparation. To keep it sattvik, these are prepared without the use of onions or garlic.

Panchamrit

Panchamrit is a sacred mixture that is prepared from five elements: milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar. It is often the first offering during the Lakshmi Puja. For the purpose of spiritual cleansing, it is consumed prior to the consumption of other bhog foods and it is supposed to bring good health and purity.

Kheel Batashe

There is a lot of cultural significance attached to offering kheel (puffed rice) and batashe (crisp sugar discs) during Lakshmi Puja. Thalis adorned with heaps of kheel and piles of batashe are a common sight during the celebrations. Both are believed to appease the Goddess, who in turn bestows wealth and joy upon the family. After the rituals, it is customary to mix kheel with sugar, almonds, and coconut, and serve it as prasad.

Kheer

One of India's most cherished desserts, kheer was first mentioned in Hindu rites and temple ceremonies as a sacred offering. The bhog thali featuring kheer during Lakshmi Puja symbolises fulfilment of desires. Traditionally made with rice, full-cream milk, and sugar or jaggery, it is delicately scented with cardamom, saffron, and nuts.

In addition to being delicious and rich, kheer is believed to appease the goddess and invite her blessings for a life filled with sweetness and harmony. Its white, milky appearance makes it the ideal celebratory treat, symbolising calmness and spiritual purity.

Boondi Ladoo  

These ball-shaped iconic Indian sweets hit differently during Diwali and other festive celebrations. In Indian culture, Boondi Ladoos represent joy, festivity and auspiciousness of the event. 

Kaju Katli 

When it comes to Indian sweets, Kaju Katli tops the list during Diwali and Lakshmi Puja. Its diamond shape and velvety texture make it an emblem of festivity. You can go the extra mile and add a delicate coating of edible silver leaf (vark) after rolling out a thin mixture of cashew nuts, sugar syrup, and flour. This homemade sweet is easy to make and works perfectly as part of the bhog thali.

Malpua

Ancient Sanskrit scriptures, such as the Rigveda, mention fried cakes like Malpua as offerings during religious ceremonies, making it one of the earliest festival sweets in India. In many regions of North and East India, this traditional bhog sweet is served during Lakshmi Puja and Holi. Flavoured with fennel, cardamom, or saffron, Malpua is a rich, fried pancake dipped in sugar syrup. One common topping for Malpuas in Bengal is rabri, while mashed bananas or coconut can also be added to the batter for variation.

The Heart of the Offering

The special thing about any bhog presented to Goddess Lakshmi is, ultimately, devotion. It is not the exact ingredients or strictly following traditional recipes that matter most when offering food to the Goddess; what matters more is the genuine affection and devotion with which it is prepared. More than just being delicious, these bhog items serve as a means for worshippers to connect with the divine.