Five Traditional Bhog Dishes To Offer Lord Krishna During

Govardhan Puja

Quick Summary

Govardhan Puja is a festival celebrated to honor Lord Krishna and thank him for saving his devotees. It usually falls on the day after Diwali and is also known as Annakoot (mountain of food) festival. Now, if the festival’s name refers to a mountain of food, then suffice it to say the bhog, or religious food offering, marks this festival. 

Deep Dive

Food is a source of sustenance, a way to get creative, and also an integral part of religious offerings in most religions, but especially in Hinduism. Keeping in line with the Hindu culture and customs, Govardhan Pooja (celebrated to honor Lord Krishna) also includes ceremonial dishes that carry religious and social significance. While most religious food offerings balance sweet and savory items, a little more than balance goes into play when deciding the items that make it to the traditional Govardhan Pooja Bhog. Before we look at the five traditional bhog dishes offered to Lord Krishna during Govardhan Pooja, let’s understand why this festival is celebrated in the first place. 

The Legend Behind Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja carries deep religious significance in the Hindu culture. According to the Bhagavat Gita, on the day of Govardhan Puja, Lord Krishna lifted an entire hill to save the villagers of Vrindavan (believed to be Lord Krishna’s childhood home) from torrential rains. For seven days, the rains continued, and villagers sought refuge under the lifted mountain. On the seventh day, the rains stopped. Consequently, the villagers prepared a mountain of food to thank Lord Krishna. Even today, Govardhan Puja is marked by a mountain of food (often arranged in a mountain-like structure), offered first to the deity, and later distributed as prasad. 

The Traditional Bhog Dishes 

Traditionally, the Govardhan Puja is marked by chappan bhog, i.e., an offering of 56 (chappan) dishes (bhog). While the dishes may change between different areas and regions, five traditional dishes are almost always included in the bhog offered to Lord Krishna. 

Annakut Ki Sabzi

Annakut ki sabzi is a vegetable curry made from 56 different vegetables. Its addition ensures that you include 56 items in your bhog, even if you can’t cook 56 separate dishes. Usually, seasonal vegetables are used to make the curry, which also becomes a symbol of harvest, or rather a celebration of Earth’s bounty. This curry, thus, represents abundance. 

Kadhi

A spiced yoghurt-based curry made from gram flour, kadhi is often served with steamed rice or puri. Kadhi represents purity, but there’s also a scientific reason behind its addition. Since Govardhan Puja falls at the onset of winter, cooling dishes like kadhi aid digestion and improve overall health. It also balances the other times offered during Govardhan Puja, which tend to be richer in nature. 

Makhan Mishri

It’s an open secret that Lord Krishna is fondly referred to as “maakhan chor”, i.e., butter thief. In fact, stories of Lord Krishna pranking his mother and neighbors and stealing butter (because he was extremely fond of it) are part of the lore surrounding the God. Makhan Mishri, a simple dessert made from butter and rock sugar, is thus included to appease Lord Krishna. Now, while makhan mishri is more common (and in fact, the traditional dessert served to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth (Janmashtmi)), devotees can also opt for desserts made from gram flour. Gram flour was also favored by Lord Krishan, and desserts like besan ladoo or mohanthal are popular choices for the bhog too. 

Kheer 

Kheer is another popular dessert that’s included in most religious offerings across India. A rice and milk pudding, it has multiple regional variations. However, in place of kheer, other milk-based dishes might also be included, such as peda or barfi. Milk represents purity and thus is part of the chappan bhog. Moreover, it’s considered auspicious to offer more than one type of sweet dish. 

Puri

The chappan bhog always includes a type of bread, and poori (puffed Indian flatbread) is the most popular choice. Poori represents richness but also offers an excellent contrast to the many vegetable curries, lentil dishes, grain, and rice products. Since it’s deep-fried, it is also incredibly satiating. 

Categories Of Items Included In Chappan Bhog

Typically, Govardhan Puja includes a feast of 56 dishes, supposed to represent abundance. These dishes are arranged in a particular order, representing a mountain. Traditionally, the first layer (closest to the idol) is made up of milk products, followed by fruits, desserts, breads, and other savory products. The last item is usually made up of dry fruits like ilaichi (cardamom).

Here are the five categories of food items included in a Chappan Bhog: 

• Grains & Rice Dishes: Khichdi, pulao, curd rice, lemon rice, and sweet pongal are some of the more commonly included dishes. 
• Breads & Savories: Pooris are the most commonly served bread. However, rotis may also be included to complete the count of 56. Other savory items (not main dishes) include kachoris, pakoras, dhokla, etc. 
• Vegetables & Curries: Usually, sattvik dishes made from aloo, pumpkin, or locally sourced vegetables are added. Different paneer delicacies may also be added since paneer is considered a luxurious offering. 
• Sweets & Desserts: Rice and gram flour-based desserts are preferred, as it’s said Lord Krishna favored these items. Thus, mohanthal, besan ladoo, and rice kheer are popular choices. The desserts may also include halwa, jalebi, malpua, or other regional favourites.
• Fruits & Drinks: The chappan bhog would be incomplete without fruits, including dry fruits and nuts, and select drinks. Usually, buttermilk or sherbets are served alongside the meal. Apart from seasonal fruits, dry fruits like ilachi (cardamom), and common spices like saunf (fennel seeds) may also be included. 

Govardhan Puja and Bhog Dishes 

While Govardhan Puja and Chappan Bhog can sound like a daunting affair, the reality is, it’s not the number of dishes but the intention and devotion that count. In fact, it’s widely accepted that people celebrating chappan bhog at their home can opt for 5, 11, or 21 dishes instead of the traditional 56-dish fare. After all, no religion measures devotion in dishes.