Story of Mahaprasad (Abhada): Shree Jagannath Katha

June 29, 2018

OdishaLIVE Bureau

A look into the Mahaprasad of Lord Jagannath, the preparation and the food offered to the Lord.

Everyday throughout the year, 56 varieties of dishes called ‘Chappan Bhoga’are prepared and offered to the deities at the Jagannath Temple, Puri.The food is cooked in a hygienic way and is offered first to Lord Jagannath and then to Goddess Bimala.

Puri located in Odisha is known to be one among the ‘chardham’ (four holy shrines) of India. The kitchen in Shree Mandir is said to be one of the largest kitchens in the world.The food is prepared in 200 earthen pots for Lord Jagannath and other deities everyday for almost 10,000devotees which swells to 1,00,000 in festive times. As the food is cooked only in large clean earthen pots and by using locally available vegetables, hence it is healthy to consume.

It is said that, exchange of Mahaprasad between two persons binds them in an unbreakable relationship. Pilgrims across the globe visit and try to have a taste of the Mahaprasad. Mahaprasad and other offerings made to the deities are available in Ananda Bazar inside the enclosure of the Jagannath temple, where every day, thousands of pilgrims take various types of dishes.

Here is the list of 56 dishes offered to Lord Jagannath:

1 ) Ukhuda (Sugar coated Puffed Rice)
2 ) Nadia Kora(Coconut Laddu)
3 ) Khua (Condensed Milk)
4 ) Dahi (Yoghurt)
5 ) PachilaKadali (Ripe Banana)
6 ) Kanika (Flavoured Rice)
7 ) Tata Khechudi (Dry Khechudi)
8 ) MendhaMundia (A kind of Cake)
9 ) Bada Kanti (Fried Cake)
10) Matha Puli (A kind of Pan Cake)
11) Hamsa Keli (Sweet Cake)
12) Jhili (Thin Pan Cake)
13) Enduri (Idli)
14) AdaPachedi (Ginger Paste)
15) Saga Bhaja (Fried Spinach)
16) KadaliBhaja (Fried Plantain)
17) MarichiLadu (ChilliLaddu)
18) SanaPitha (Small size Cake)
19) Bara/Vada (Donuts)
20) ArishaPitha(Sweet Fried Cake made by Rice Flour)
21) Bundia (Sweet Granules made of Chick Pea Flour)
22) Pakhala(Water Rice)
23) Khiri (Milk Rice)
24) Kadamba(A kind of Sweet)
25) Pat Manohar (A kind of Sweet)
26) Takuaa(Sweet shaped like Tongue)
27) BhagaPitha (A kind of Cake )
28) Gotai(A kind of Salty Cake)
29) Dalma(Dal with Vegetables)
30) Bada Kakara(Large fried Sweet Cake)
31) LuniKhuruma (Salty Biscuit)
32) Amalu (Malpua, Sweet Puri)
33) SuarPitha (Baked Cake)
34) BiriBuha(Black Gram Cake )
35) JhadaiNadaa Aa cluster of small Ball Shaped Cake)
36) KhastaPuri(Strong fried Cake)
37) Kadali Bara(Fried Plantain)
38) Sana Arisha (Small fried Cake)
39) Sakar(Chatni)
40) PodaPitha(Steamed Cottage Cheese Cake)
41) Kanji(Sour Rice)
42) DahiPakhala(Curd Rice )
43) Bada Arisha(Large size Fried Cake)
44) Tipuri(Three Stage Fillings)
45) Sakara(Sugar Candy)
46) SujiKhiri (Milk with Semolina)
47) MugaSijha(Boiled Green Gram)
48) Manohar(A kind of Sweet)
49) MagajaLadu(A kind of Sweet)
50) Pana(Sweet Drink)
51) Anna(Rice)
53) Ghia Anna(Ghee rice)
54) Sweet Dal
55) Besara(Curry)
56) Saga (Spinach)