Chhappan Bhog

Chhappan Bhog

"Chhappan Bhog" is a Hindi word. Chhappan means fifty-six i.e. 56. Bhog means  food which we offer to God before serving to others. When food is offered to God, it becomes  "Prasad".

Bhog Lagana :-

* Food  is offered to the deity with chanting of religious prayers. A part of it is put to the lips
of the idol as well.  This is called “Bhog Lagana”.

* Small portions of the sanctified "Prasad or Prasadam"  are offered to all the gathered devotees who take it in their extended palms.

* So Chhappan Bhog means the Prasad consisting of 56 completely different food items. The items can be raw as well as cooked.

* Usually the list begins with rasagullas and ends in elaichi. Many different food items are used.They vary from place to place.

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Story of "Chhappan Bhog" :-

The story belongs to Lord Krishna.

 As per the story, when Krishna saw huge preparations for the annual offerings to god Indra , he debated with the villagers about what their 'dharma' truly was. He said that all human beings should merely do their 'karma', to the best of their ability and not pray or conduct sacrifices for natural phenomenon. The villagers were convinced by Krishna, and did not proceed with the special puja (prayer). Angered god  Indra thus invoked many clouds to appear in the sky and schemed to flood the region with rains lasting for seven days and seven nights. Krishna in reply then lifted Govardhan hill, under which all the animals and people of the region took shelter, safe from the rains of Indra's fury. Ultimately, Indra accepted defeat, recognized Krishna as supreme. And after praying to Krishna, left for his heavenly abode, the Swarga.

Lord Krishna used to require eight meals on a daily basis. when he lifted Govardhan Parvat for seven days he couldn't eat. After seven days when it absolutely was over and god Indradev realised his mistake and surrendered. People were and happy and offered Lord Krishna Bhojan for what he had missed throughout the seven days. 

As we know :-
7 x 8 = 56

They made fifty-six different things for Lord Krishna and offered Him as a token of their love and gratitude. And it absolutely was known as "Chappan Bhog" (fifty six things).

Thus began the tradition of offering "Chhappan Bhog" to God on a festive occasion.

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Here I am presenting lists of 56 different items for making "Chhappan Bhog":-

List No.1

1-रसगुल्ला,
2-चन्द्रकला,
3-रबड़ी,
4-शूली,
5-दधी,
6-भात,
7-दाल,
8-चटनी,
9-कढ़ी,
10-साग-कढ़ी,
11-मठरी,
12-बड़ा,
13-कोणिका,
14- पूरी,
15-खजरा,
16-अवलेह,
17-वाटी,
18-सिखरिणी,
19-मुरब्बा,
20-मधुर,
21-कषाय,
22-तिक्त,
23-कटु पदार्थ,
24-अम्ल {खट्टा पदार्थ}, 
25-शक्करपारा,
26-घेवर,
27-चिला,
28-मालपुआ,
29-जलेबी,
30-मेसूब,
31-पापड़,
32-सीरा,
33-मोहनथाल,
34-लौंगपूरी,
35-खुरमा,
36-गेहूं दलिया,
37-पारिखा,
38-सौंफ़लघा,
39-लड़्ड़ू,
40-दुधीरुप,
41-खीर, 
42-घी,
43-मक्खन,
44-मलाई,
45-शाक,
46-शहद,
47-मोहनभोग,
48-अचार,
49-सूबत,
50-मंड़का,
51-फल,
52-लस्सी,
53-मठ्ठा,
54-पान,
55-सुपारी,
56-इलायची ।

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List No. 2

1. Moong Dal Halwa

2.Gajar Halwa

3. Methi mathri

4. Namakpare

5. Murmure ki Namkeen

6. Rabdi

7. Aatte ke Laddoo

8. Besan ke Laddoo

9. Sooji ka Halwa

10. Fried Rice

11. Lemon Rice

12. Plain Rice

13. Curd Rice

14. Sweet Rice

15. Khichadi

16. Brinjal Bhajji

17. Gobhi ke Pakore

18. Aaloo ke pakore

19. Boondi ka Raita

20. Kheere ka Raita

21. Aaloo Tikki

22. Bread Sandwich

23. Chhole

24. Mix Vegetable Sabzi

25. Matar Paneer

26. Daal

27. Kadhi

28. Saag

29.Lauki ki sabzi

30. Papad

31. Nariyal Chutney

32. Dhaniya- Pudina Chutney

33. Salad

34. Plain parantha

35. Aaloo Parantha

36. Spinach poori

37. Plain poori

38. Kachori

39. Chapati

40. Mango shake

41. Banana Shake

42. Coconut water

43. Badam milk

44. Salted Lassi

45. Shikanji

46. Mango

47. Banana

48.Grapes

49. Apple

50. Plum

51. Kiwi

52. Almonds

53. Raisins

54. Cahewnuts

55. Pishtachios

56.Saunf & Elaichi

    
Variations can be made according to one's choice and capacity.

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