Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated on 16 August 2025, the Ashtami of Bhadrapada Krishna Paksha. Devotees across India and beyond welcome Bal Gopal with grand rituals, kirtans, and offerings. One of the most cherished traditions of the festival is the preparation of Chhappan Bhog, a platter of 56 delicacies offered to Kanha.
Legend says Krishna, in his childhood, once fasted for Govardhan devotees who could not cook for him and later enjoyed a grand feast. Since then, preparing 56 unique dishes has become a way of expressing love and gratitude to him.
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What makes up Chhappan Bhog?
The Chhappan Bhog is said to combine six essential rasas – sweet, salty, sour, bitter, pungent, and astringent – making it wholesome and symbolic of life’s flavours. All dishes are made without onion and garlic, keeping sattvic traditions in mind.
The spread includes a wide variety of foods such as:
Sweets & desserts: Makhan (butter), sugar candy, kheer, peda, malpua, jalebi, rasgulla, rabri, ghevar, moong dal halwa, pistachio barfi, laddus, and cashew-almond mithai.
Snacks & savouries: Mathri, pakoras, kachori, tikki, bhujia, cheela, papad, shakkar para, and cumin laddus.
Main course & sides: Puri, roti, rice, sweet rice, khichdi, kadhi, greens, dudhi ki sabzi, brinjal sabzi, chutneys, and curd.
Fruits & drinks: Banana, mango, apple, grapes, raisins, plum, jamun, coconut, honey, almond milk, buttermilk, and shikanji.
Others: Panjiri, dry fruits, and betel leaf.
Each item represents devotion, abundance, and the belief that Krishna accepts offerings made with pure love more than their grandeur.
This year, as devotees prepare Chhappan Bhog, it will not just be a feast for Lord Krishna but also a reminder of harmony, gratitude, and the joy of sharing.
