WHY DEVOTEES OFFER CHAPPAN BHOG TO LORD KRISHNA /SIGNIFICANCE OF 56 BHOG/3 STORIES IN DETAIL ABOUT CHAPPAN BHOG

Krishna Janmasthami: 

The story behind the legendary Chappan Bhog

Food has always been a major part of all our celebrations, large and small. Of them, the Chappan Bhog has to be the heartiest, with as many as 56 dishes prepared for Lord Krishna, during Janmashtami and also for Govardhan puja post Diwali. Every year during this time, thousands of devotees throng Mathura, to offer 56 dishes to appease Krishna.

On the day of Krishna Janmashtami, many devotees prepare an array of delicacies to offer them to the deity. While, makhan-mishri, panjiri, coconut and dry fruits based sweets and a delicious concoction of milk, yoghurt, ghee, sugar and dried fruits is commonly prepared in most of the Hindu households, there is something remarkable called the Chappan Bhog which takes Janmashtami celebrations higher by several notches.

STORIES BEHIND OFFERING 56 FOOD ITEMS 

1 )  Wondering why there are specifically 56 items? The story goes that to protect his village and the people from the wrath of The God of Rain (Lord Indra), Krishna ji had lifted the Govardhan Parvat and placed it at the tip of his little finger, under which everyone had taken refuge. He stood still for seven whole days continuously, until Lord Indra realised his mistake. Lord Krishna would usually eat eight food items every day, but he didn't consume any food during these seven days. So at the end of the seventh day, everyone made Krishna ji a total of 56 dishes  (eight multiplied by seven), out of gratitude.As everybody knows that Yashoda Maiya gives Little Balkrishnna meal for 8 times a day and he had missed his meal for 7 days .

So the compensatory diet that is 7×8=56 becomes famous ever since ,and 56 has been a favored number to please Lord Krishna since ages

2) ANOTHER STORY BEHIND THIS 

It is believed that in Gokul Lord Krishna sits on a divya (divine)Lotus which has 3 layers. First layer has 8 petals, Second layer has 16 petals and Third layer has 32 petals. And Lord Krishna sits in the centre of that divide lotus.as the lotus bears 56 and each petal is referred as a Sakhi of Lord Krishna. And by offering him 56 food items, it is believed that Lord Krishna gets satisfied with all his 56 Sakhi.

3)when Gopikas offered 56 bhog to Lord Krishna to get him as pati (husband).

According to Shrimad Bhagvat katha, All Gopikas fast for a month to get Lord Krishna as their pati.

They all perform this ritual with full devotion. They took early bathe in river Yamuna and offered prayers to Maa Katyayini to please her and get desired husband, fulfillment of their wish.

As Lord Krishna gives his approval for their wish to fulfill, all Gopikas was very happy.And as a gratitude for fulfillment of their wish,they offered Lord Krishna 56 bhog,so called Chappan Bhog and Lord Krishna accepted it happily. 

If you wish to see from your very own eyes how Lord Krishna enjoys a feast of 56 dishes, you may visit your nearest ISCKON temple shrine, Jagannath Puri Temple in Odisha or any other renowned Krishna temple.

What goes into a Chappan Bhog?

1. Ukhuda ( Sugar coated pup rice)
2. Nadia kora (Coconut ladu) 
3. Khua (condensed milk) 
4. Dahi (Yoghurt) 
5. Pachila kadali (Ripe Banana) 
6. Kanika (Flavoured Rice) 
7. Tata Khechudi (Dry Khechudi) 
8. Mendha Mundia (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 like Dosa) 
13. Enduri ( Idli) 
14. Adapachedi (Ginger Paste) 
15. Saga Bhaja (Fried leafy vegetables) 
16. Kadali Bhaja (Fried Plantain) 
17. Maric Ladu (Chilli Ladu) 
18. San Pitha ( Small size Cake) 
19. Bara (Donalds) 
20. Arisha (Sweet fried cake made of rice flour) 
21. Bundia (Sweet granules made of gram flour) 
22. Pakhal (Water rice) 
23. Khiri (Milk Rice) 
24. Kadamba (A kind of sweet) 
25. Pat Manohar (Name of a sweet) 
26. Takuaa (Sweets shaped like tongue) 
27. Bhaga Pitha (A kind of cake ) 
28. Gotai (A kind of salty cake) 
29. Dalma (Dal with vegetables) 
30. Bada Kakara (Large Fried sweet cake) 
31. Luni Khuruma (Salty Biscuits) 
32. Amalu ( Malpua, Sweet Puri) 
33. Suar Pitha (Poda Pitha, Baked Cake) 
34. Biri Buha (Black gram cake ) 
35. Jhadai Nadaa (Small ball shaped cakes) 
36. Khasta Puri (Strong fried cakes) 
37. Kadali Bara (Fried Plantain) 
38. Sana Arisha (Small fried cakes) 
39. Sakar (Chatni) 
40. Podo Pitha (Panned Cake) 
41. Kanji (Sour Rice) 
42. Dahi Pakhal (Curd rice ) 
43. Bada Arisha (Large size Fried cake) 
44. Tipuri (Three stage fillings) 
45. Sakara (Sugar candy) 
46. Suji Khir (Milk with samolina) 
47. Muga Sijha (Boiled green gram) 
48. Manohar (A kind of sweet) 
49. Magaja Ladu (A kind of sweet) 
50. Pana (Sweet Drink) 
51. Anna (Rice) 
52. Ghia Anna (Ghee rice) 
53. Dali (Sweet Dal)
54. Besar (Curry) 
55. Mahur (Veg. curry with mustard seeds)
56. Sag (Leafy vegetables)