Offering Bhoga to Great Lord

Orissa Review * June - 2006

Dillip Kumar Samantaray

The kings who were ruling over since the Jagannath Vallabh, Khaja, Gaja, Pheni, Ganga Rule (13th century A.D. onwards) Luni Khuruma, Sweet Khuruma, Bada Poori, Orissa were considering themselves as the Kakatua Jhilli or Bada Jhilli, Bada Naadi, Sena servant (Rautta) of great lord. The same Naadi, Kakara, Hansa Keli, Candra kanti, Bada paraphernalia as is found in a royal household, Kadamba, Vasanta Arisa, Paga Arisa, Maricha Ladu, Magaja Ladu, Amalu, Dalimba, is also discernible in the temple of Jagannath Parijataka, Mandua Vallabha Kora, Gopal Mahaprabhu with much splendour and Vallabha, Amruta Rasabali, Bada Kanti, magnificance. The items of Bhogas that are Mathapuli, Papudi, Bundia Khiri, Khechudi, offered daily to the deities are many and varied Plain Arna, Dal, Dalama, Kanika, Ghee Arna, and they are offered with royal dignity and Mahana Bhoga Jenamani, Suji Gaja, ceremonial purity. Balibamana Muga, Suara Pitha, Podapitha, Makhana, Khali rooti, Khua Manda, Bhogas are of two kinds : - (i) Those Chhenapitha etc. that are cooked and prepared inside the temple kitchens are called "sankhudi". They are The bhogas are offered to the deities prepared out of rice, black gram and other prepared by the Suaras very deliciously in season times accordingly. vegetables (ii) Those that are prepared outside the kitchen but inside the temple specified for 1. During Baisakh and Jyestha, (in April, the purpose are called Nisankhudi Bhogas. May and June) the deities are offered the These constitute Bhogas made out of flour, following bhogas like - (i) Dahi Pakhala wheat, ghee, candy etc. This divine kitchen of (watered rice with curd), (ii) Saga, (iii) Chhena Mandua, (iv) Biri pitha (cakes prepared out of Lord Jagannath is one of the biggest and black gram) (v) On pana or Visuba Sankranti splendid kitchens of the world which can feed day the Gheuties made of flour, curd, cheese one lakh people at a time. There is a popular and molasses) is offered in the morning and proverb that : delicious drink in the evening. "Sada rasa vyanjana nana yati 2. During the month of Asadha (during Car Chhapana Bhoga lage dinarati", Festival, June-July) the deities are offered a special drink called Adharapana (Adhara "Multifarious dishes of six-fold tasters means lips) as the drink sweetness the divine fifty-six bhogas are offered day and night". lips. The Bhogas which are being offered to 3. During the month of Sravana (Jhulan the Mahaprabhu daily are illustrated below as Yatra i.e. July-August) the deities are offered such : Amalu and Khiri.

14 Orissa Review * June - 2006

4. During the month of Bhadraba, Kakatua Jhilli, Kanti, Enduri, Jinger tonic, fried (Janmastami i.e. August to September) the green leaves, fried rice, dal and curries. deities are offered the same food as mentioned Forenoon - The deities are offered Bhoga above. Mandap Dhupa. It includes Rice, Vegetable 5. During the month of Kartika (October- curries and cakes. November) The deities are offered Lunilia Midday-afternoon - They are offered (salty parched paddy) early in the morning Oriya cooked Ghee Arna (made of rice, salt, which is called Bala Bhoga. ghee and orange juice), Dal, curries (Besara 6. During the month of Pausa (December) Mahura) cakes, sweet Kakara, Arisa, Maricha the deities are offered Pahili Bhoga, i.e. the Ladu, Pomegranates, Bada, a drink prepared First Food offered rather early in the morning. out of black peeper, banana etc. It is a delicious Khechedi preparation. The Evening - The Sandhya Dhupa consists episode runs that as Mahalaxmi, the divine of cooked rice, and watered rice, Mathapuli, consort moves to her father's house, Yosoda, Kantipuli, Jenamani, Parijataka, Mandua, the mother of Lord herself prepare this Rasavali, Suaridal and other curries etc. delicious Khechedi to the utmost satisfaction of her son. Evening - The platters are called Badasinhara Dhupa or Sayana Dhupa. It 7. On Baula Amavasya day the Gaintha consists of sweet watered rice, Bananabada, cake, new mango blossoms, powdered rice plaintain fry, Bhoga Kshiri (a liquid made of fried with ghee and Nadi mixed with ghee are rice, milk, sugar and spices) Chadhei neda offered. green coconut and bettle (sandal paste instead 8. During Makara Sankranti day, on 13th of lime and without tabacco). or 14th January the deities are offered Makara This type of food which are offered to Chaula (i.e. fresh uncooked rice well moistered the deities (Mahaprabhu Jagannath, god and mixed with milk, jinger, black peeper, Balabhadra, goddess Subhadra) and after candy, coconut, cheese camphor, raisin, ripe Naibedya the devotees take His prasad and banana etc. distribute it to others who become very happy. During Dolayatra, in the month of It gives us pleasure, peace and harmony, as February-March the deities are offered because in the acceptance of prasad by the Chhenagaja, Khanda Vari, Canaladi devotees there is no partiality and it create (Ambakasi) Dahana chori, Arisa and Kakara. fellow feelings. This greatness and traditional Dhupas (Divine Meals) system is called Shree Shree Jagannath Cult in which we create among ourselves friendship Morning - For morning refreshment, the and universal brotherhood. As a whole Shree deities are offered the following platters, Gopal Shree Jagannath Mahaprabhu is the symbol of Vallabha, Fried Paddy, Sugar coated Coconut, love, peace and equality. butter, Khuamanda, Papudi, fruits like Banana, Guava and Coconut chips etc.

For morning meals which is called Raja Dillip Kumar Samantaray lives at Gangaram Nua Sahi, Dhupa, the deities are offered as following as Puri, Orissa.