Chappanbhog
Lord Krishna held Govardhan giri for seven days to protect the Brij vasis and cattle from heavy rain and flood caused by Indira. He didn’t eat for seven days. Children usually have eight servings everyday Four full meals and four snacks. On the eighth day when rain stopped a Gopi named Lalitha prepared 7×8 that is 56 varieties of food for Lord Krishna. Devotees prepare 56 varieties on special occasions like Srijayanthi, Govardhan Puja etc.
Preparing Chappan bhog for Srijayanthi was in my list for almost five years. After suffering from fever and cold during the last week of August, I almost gave up this year too. I had to clean the puja items, Get a new garment ready for Lord Krishna all this single handed!
On Saturday my manni sent a video of ISKON swamiji who said we can experience real happiness by serving Lord Krishna. I decided that very moment to Serve Lord Krishna preparing Chappan bhog Prasaadam for Srijayanthi. I prayed to God to help me complete this task. A little bit of planning and faith that God’s grace is with you, it is not at all difficult.
I started off on the auspicious day Mahasankatahara Chathurthi with the blessings of Lord Ganesha!
For Srijayanthi/Janmashtami everything is prepared at home from the scratch. Like flour for Bhakshanams, Khova for some sweets, Butter for Navaneetham etc etc. All items can be prepared in small quantities. Usually I make 50 to 60 pieces of sweets. I decided to make just 4 pieces of each but ended up making 6 to 16 pieces!
Lord Krishna ‘s birth is celebrated when Ashtami and Rohini fall together. Auspicious time to celebrate Srijayanthi this year was from 6th midnight to 7th morning 10:30. So I did the puja today morning.
On Day -1
9 items
1.Rava urundai (Laddu)
2.Payantham urundai (moong dal laddu)
3.Wheat flour laddu
4.Groundnut laddu
5.Ellurundai (Til laddu)
6.Dates anjeer rolls
7.Dhaniya panjeeri
8.Makhna toast
9.Sukku vellam
Day – 2
- items
10.Coconut burfi
11.Thattai
12.Seedai
13.Vella Seedai
14.Chiroti
15.Aval Chivda
16.Namakpaara
17.Maida biscuits
18.Toasted Almonds
19.Toasted Cashews
Day – 3
5 items
20.Badam halwa
21.Omapodi
22.Ribbon pakoda
23.Groundnut pakoda
24.Green peas burfi
Day -4
5 items
25.Mysoor pak
26.Thrirattipal
27.Basundi
28.Gulab jamun
29.Rajgira halwa
Day -5
On Srijayanthi day
30.Navaneetham
31.Honey
32.Milk flavoured with Cardamom, edible camphor and Saffron
33.Butter milk
34.Paanagam
35.Akkaara adisil
36.Ven Pongal
37.Annam with ghee
38.Kalathu paruppu
39.More kuzhambu
40.Saathamudu (Rasam)
41.Kadambam
42.Lemon rice
43.Curd rice
44.Vazhakkai karamedhu (Raw banana curry)
45.Toasted paneer
46.Carrot Pachadi (Raita)
47.Nellikkai pachadi (AmlaRaita)
48.Idly
49.Vangara dosai (Pepper dosai)
50.Coconut chutney
51.Naval pazha flavoured Curd
52.Chida dahi
53.Vadai
54.Fruit salad
55.Cucumber carrot salad
56.Fruits (Banana, Apple, Pomegranate Grapes,Sapota, Naval Pazham)