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Imagine a feast so grand, so ancient, and so steeped in devotion that it's offered daily to deities. That's the essence of the "Chappan Bhog" at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. This incredible tradition involves preparing and offering 56 different food items to Lord Jagannath, his elder brother Balabhadra and his sister Subhadra. It’s not just a meal; it's a sacred ritual, a display of immense love and respect.
Video Credits: Hebbars Kitchen/ YouTube
The word "Chappan" means fifty-six, and "Bhog" refers to the sacred offerings. These dishes are prepared with great care and purity in the temple kitchen, one of the largest in the world. This practice dates back centuries, reflecting a deep-rooted spiritual belief that the Lord needs a full and varied meal throughout the day. It’s a remarkable example of culinary devotion and showcases the rich food heritage of Odisha, offering a glimpse into the traditional tastes and preparations that have been passed down through countless generations.
Sweet Dishes
The array of sweets is truly vast. Khaja are layered, fried pastries soaked in sugar syrup. Gajas are similar, made from wheat, fried, and then sweetened with syrup. You'll find classic Ladus—round sweets of flour, sugar, and ghee. Special variations include Jeera Ladu with cumin, lemon, sugar, and salt, and Magaja Ladu, a rich treat of gram flour, ghee, milk, and sugar. Mathapuli is a unique sweet made from ghee, ground beans, and ginger. Khuruma is a sweet made with sugar, wheat, ghee, and a touch of salt. Jagannath Ballav is a distinct black sweet made from wheat, sugar, and ghee. Kakara is a famous Odia sweet cake, often filled with grated coconut, made from ghee, sugar, and wheat. For a savoury twist, Luni Khuruma is a salty biscuit made with ghee, wheat, and salt. Another ladu variant is Marichi Ladu, prepared with wheat and sugar.
Image Credits: Wikimedia Commons
Pitha, Manda - Cakes And Breads
This section includes various cakes and deep-fried breads. Suar Pitha is a simple cake of wheat and ghee. Chadai Lada is another sweet dish using wheat, ghee, and sugar. Jhilli is a famous sweet made from rice flour, ghee, and sugar. Kanti is prepared from rice flour and ghee. Manda is a steamed cake often filled with coconut, jaggery, and cheese, made with rice and ghee. Amalu is a fried item made of wheat, sugar, and ghee. Puri is a deep-fried bread made from flour and ghee, while Luchi is a pancake-like, deep-fried item made from refined flour (maida) and ghee. Dahi Bara features deep-fried lentil fritters (from urad dal) soaked in curd. Bara are similar fried items made from urad dal and ghee. Arisa is a flat cake of rice flour, sugar, and ghee. Tripuri is another flat cake made from rice flour, sugar, and ghee. Rosapaik is a cake made with wheat and ghee.
Image Credits: Freepik
Rice Dishes
Rice, a staple, features prominently. Sadha Anna is plain boiled rice. For a curd-infused delight, there's Dahi Pakhala, rice mixed with yoghurt and water. Kanika is a sweet, fragrant rice dish made with ghee and sugar. Thali Khichudi combines yellow rice with lentils, ghee, and a hint of sugar. You'll find Ada Pakhala, which is water rice with fresh ginger, and Ghea Anna, simply rice mixed with ghee. Mitha Pakhala is a sweet version of water rice, while Odia Pakhala adds ghee, lemon, and salt. Lastly, Khecudi is rice cooked with lentils, a comforting classic.
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Milk Preparations
Milk-based desserts are a highlight. Khiri is a creamy rice pudding made with milk and sugar. Papudi is a delicate dish prepared solely from the cream of milk. Khua is a rich, custard-like dessert made by slowly boiling pure milk for hours until it thickens. Rasabali is a popular sweet made from milk, sugar, and wheat. Tadia is a traditional Odia sweet made from fresh cheese, sugar, and ghee. Chhena Khai combines fresh cheese, milk, and sugar. Bapudi Khaja is made from milk cream, sugar, and ghee. Khua Manda is a cake-like sweet made with milk, wheat, and ghee. Finally, Sarapulli is a famous and notoriously difficult milk dish, prepared by boiling pure milk for many hours to achieve a layered, creamy texture.
Image Credits: Freepik
Dal And Curries
The savoury section includes various dals and vegetable preparations. Biri Dali is a simple lentil dish made from urad dal. Chana Dali is a straightforward lentil dish made from chickpeas. Mitha Dali is a thick, sweet lentil dish made from arhar dal (pigeon pea). Muga Dali is another lentil preparation unique to Odia cuisine. Dalama is a quintessential Odia dish, a wholesome mix of various lentils and vegetables like eggplant, pumpkin, beans, sweet potato, and coconut, seasoned with asafoetida. Notably, tomatoes are not used in Puri Abhada (temple offerings) as they are considered a foreign vegetable. Raita is a cooling yoghurt dish with radish, cucumber, and salt. Besar is a vegetable curry rich in coconut and mustard paste. Saga refers to dishes made from leafy green plants like spinach, seasoned with local spices. Bhaja simply means a fried item. Goti Baigana is a dish of small eggplants in a coconut sauce. Khata is a sour dish made by cooking together fruits like mango, apple, and grapes. Mahura is a mixed vegetable curry using basic ingredients like pumpkin, taro, and sweet potato. Pita is a unique dish made with fried neem tree flowers. Lastly, Potala Rasa is a famous spicy gravy dish featuring pointed gourd and coconut milk.
