Janmashtami 2024: What is Chhapan Bhog and why is it offered to Lord Krishna

The holy festival of Krishna Janmashtami is just around the corner. The festival celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This year, the festival will be celebrated on August 26 and 27, 2024, where devotees worship the childhood avatar of Lord Krishna called Bal Gopal. The midnight celebration involves a day-long fast, during which people avoid food and water and break the fast after offering prayer, arti, and Chappan Bhog to the deity. Scroll down to understand what Chappan Bhog is and its significance during the celebration.
What is Chappan Bhog?
It is a sacred dish consisting of sattvic foods served to Lord Krishna on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. It often includes dishes that offer the 5 tastes: sweet, sour, spicy, salty, bitter and umami.
Also read: 10 Traditional Blogs Offered to Lord Krishna

What is included in Chappan Bhog?
According to experts, Chappan Bhog offers 56 delicious Prasadam items, loved by Lord Krishna. From pure dairy products to savoury dishes, it has it all. It includes sattvic dishes like Makhan Mishri, Kheer, Rasgulla, Jeera Laddus, Jalebi, Rabdi, Malpua, Mohanbhog, Moong Dal Halwa, Ghevar, Peda, Cashew Nuts, Almonds, Pistachios, Cardamoms, Panchamrit, Shakkar Para, Mathri, Chutney, Murabba, Mango, Banana, Grapes, Apples, Plums, Raisins, Pakore, Saag, Curd Rice , Kadhi, Cheela, Papad, Khichdi, Baingan ki Sabji, Dudhi ki Sabji, Poori, Tikki, Daliya, Ghee, honey, white butter, crème fraîche, Kachori, Roti, coconut water, almond milk, Chaach, Shikanji, Channa, Meethe Chawal, Bhujia, Supari, Saunf and Paan.

The story associated with Chappan Bhog
Historians relate that when the people of Braj were preparing a grand event to honor Indra, the king of heaven, young Krishna asked Nand Baba why this ritual was being held. Nand Baba explained that the puja was meant to please Dev Raj Indra, who would then make it rain in abundance. Krishna, however, wondered why they should worship Indra for rain, suggesting instead that they should worship Govardhan Mountain, which provides fruits, vegetables and fodder for animals.
Indra took this as an affront and unleashed a devastating storm on Braj, causing severe floods. In response, Krishna ordered the people to seek shelter under the Govardhan mountain, which he effortlessly lifted with his left hand. He asked everyone to take shelter and support themselves with sticks to protect themselves from the storm.
For seven days, Krishna stood on the mountain without eating. On the eighth day, when the rain stopped and people came out, they realized that Krishna had not eaten during that time. Curious, they asked Maa Yashoda how she fed Krishna, and she revealed that she fed him eight times a day. Therefore, the people of Gokul prepared fifty-six types of dishes—eight varieties for each meal—to honor Krishna, which gave rise to the tradition of Chappan Bhog. It is believed that offering these fifty-six dishes to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami brings him joy and fulfills one’s wishes.
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