ISKCON Mayapur offers over 100 delicacies during Chhappanna Bhog

From traditional offerings made in the kitchens of Puri’s Jagannath Temple to delicacies prepared by devotees across the globe, the temporary ‘Masi Bari’ of Lord Jagannath at ISKCON’s Chandradoya Mandir has turned into a spiritual culinary hub, with more than a hundred varieties of food being offered to the deity during the ongoing Chhappanna Bhog festival.

Lord Jagannath, revered as the Lord of the Universe, arrived at the temporary Masi Bari set up at the Panchadatta Mandir of ISKCON Mayapur after the annual Rath Yatra. The special offering ceremony, which began on 17 July, continued until today, with devotees engaged round the clock in preparing and serving the elaborate bhog.

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Though traditionally known as ‘Chhappanna Bhog’—an offering of 56 items associated with Lord Jagannath—the scale of the celebration at Mayapur has gone far beyond the customary number. According to ISKCON officials, over a hundred varieties of dishes are being prepared and offered, including traditional temple preparations as well as food items representing different regions of India and countries across the world.

“Lord Jagannath is not only the Lord of the world but also the Lord of the people. Though the offering is called Chhappanna Bhog, devotees are offering more than a hundred varieties of preparations with devotion,” said Gauranga Das, public relations officer of ISKCON Mayapur, Nadia.

Devotees from different countries have brought specially prepared dishes from their homes as offerings to the Lord. The bhog includes traditional items similar to those offered at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, along with international cuisines prepared by devotees seeking divine blessings.

The Masi Bari at ISKCON Mayapur has witnessed a continuous flow of devotees participating in the preparations, with many volunteering in the cooking process. The kitchens remain active throughout the day as devotees work together to ensure that every offering is prepared with devotion and purity.

The week-long celebration will conclude on 24 July, when Lord Jagannath will return to the Rajapur Jagannath Temple during the return chariot procession, popularly known as the Ulta Rath or Bahuda Yatra.

ISKCON authorities have invited devotees to participate in the festivities and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath during this spiritually significant period.