Mahaprasad

An incredible spiritual experience - that's what Jagannath's Mahaprasad offers! The divine taste and blessing of this offering are simply unmatched.

Mahaprasad is a unique offering of 56 bhogs to Lord Jagannath. Consuming Mahaprasad can bring spiritual and physical benefits to its partakers. This article will explore the significance of Mahaprasad and how it connects to Lord Jagannath. It will also discuss some of the rituals associated with this offering and why it is considered so important by devotees of Lord Jagannath.

Why is it called Mahaprasad?

How food is cooked in Jagannath Temple?

Amazing facts about Puri Jagannath temple kitchen

• The traditional kitchen called Rosagara prepares over 500 delicious dishes.
• Food is cooked in earthen pots called Kudua.
• Water is taken from two wells called Ganga and Jamuna.
• Every day food for 5000 to 10000 people is cooked.
• On special occasions, the number can go up to 1 million.
• Except for the Suaras (traditional cooks) and assistants, nobody can enter the kitchen.
• 500 cooks and 500 assistants work in the kitchen.
• Even among the assistants, only about 300 called the Joganias are allowed to enter the kitchen.
• It has got 32 rooms and 240 ovens.
• The fire in the kitchen is never put out.
• Every day, new earthen pots are used.

Mahaprasad is Jagannath himself

Mahaprasad is considered to be the embodiment of Brahman itself. The Vedic proclamation - annam brahmeti vyajanat (Understand that food is Brahman itself) is emphasized in the tradition of Mahaprasad. People revere Mahaprasad as if it were Jagannath himself. Swearing by it is often used to settle arguments and disputes. The nirmalya, which is the dried cooked rice, is taken home by devotees and preserved as a token of Jagannath's presence in their home. This often holds great significance in their lives. In Orissa, they have a remarkable tradition of taking some nirmalya before their meals. Every Karthik month, thousands of widows from all over the country gather at Puri to partake in the divine Mahaprasad every day. 

Story of Mahaprasada 

During the rule of Yayati, Brahmins and Sanyasis stopped taking Mahaprasad since it was being distributed to everyone irrespective of their caste and creed.

Jagannath appeared in the dream of Yayati to tell Brahmins and Sanyasis to come to the temple and partake in the Mahaprasad.

When Yayati told them, they said - we will come only if Jagannath instructs us directly. We don’t know whether you are telling the truth.

He had instructed Indradyumna to conduct the 12 monthly festivals directly.

At that time, a dumb Brahmin came there.

The Brahmins and Sanyasis said - we will believe if Mahaprasad can make him talk.

The dumb Brahmin took Mahaprasad and started talking -

Are vidwanmanyānanadhigata vedärthanigamän

Maya bhukte hyanhe mama parijaneisced mamānujey

Tasmin dehe nasinnabhavatu bhabanto bahughruṇā.

Na gangayah peyam Saba-Tanu-Galat Nabya Kalitaṁ.

Oh, you self-proclaimed intellectuals who are ignorant of the teachings of Veda and other scriptures!

I receive blessings from Lord when I take Mahaprasada and it also spreads joy to my family members.

Just as Ganga does not become impure because corpses are put into it, Mahaprasada also stays pure irrespective of who partakes in it.

Astonished by this, Brahmins and Sanyasis started partaking in the Mahaprasada thereafter.

Lord Agneswara

It is a small Shiva temple on the right side of the passage through which the bhogs are taken to the Ratna Vedi. Agneswara Mahadeva is the protector of the fire in the kitchen. He also compensates for any shortcoming in the offerings as they are carried in front of him.

The mysterious dog that flags impurity

Dogs are never seen inside the temple complex. But if the food has turned impure or Lakshmi Devi is not satisfied with the quality, then a dog appears out of nowhere. It is a Goddess called Kutama Chandi. Then everything is buried and cooking starts all over again. Then the dog disappears.

Role of Vimala Devi

Vimala Devi is the Bhairavi of Jagannath. She is Goddess Parvathy. All the bhogs offered to Jagannath (ucchishta) are offered to Vimala Devi. Then only they are distributed among devotees.

4 types of cooking

• Bhimapaka -  Badatiana, Gudakhuara, Pakala Nadia Rasa, Purapitha, Biripitha and Gudakanji, etc.
• Nalapaka - Sakara, Tianalapara, Adanga and different types of sweet drinks, etc.
• Souripaka - Mahura, Deshialubhaja, Kadalibhaja, Adapachedi, Ghialabanga and varieties of cakes, etc.
• Gouripaka - Mugatiana, Leutia, Kosala and Madhura Lalita Saga, etc.

4 Types of rice

• Salianna - Sunakhila rice cooked  along with ghee and Phalatabha Kharada Lavana.
• Khiraanna: Basumati rice, cow milk, ghee and Kharada Lavana are mixed and cooked.
• Dadhianna: Plain rice mixed with curd.
• Sitalaanna: Rice mixed with Tabharasa and Kharada Lavana.

Which vegetables are not allowed in Jagannath Temple?

• Potato
• Tomato
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Ladies finger
• Drumstick
• Onion
• Garlic
• Coriander
• Green chili
• Red chili
• Beans
• Bitter gourd
• Carrot
• Turnip
• Beetroot
• Corn
• Green peas
• Mushroom
• Capsicum
• Papaya
• Snake gourd
• Bottle gourd 

Placing bhogs before the deities

In the kitchen, all dishes are prepared with utmost devotion and reverence, and served to the deities with an air of grandeur. Those who carry it from the kitchen are the Suaras and Mahasuaras. These people are strong and healthy, free from any illnesses. Their mouths are covered so as to prevent any kind of contamination from droplets, saliva and even direct breath. Impressed by their discipline, the pilgrims watch in awe as the carriers move in a line, carrying the Mahaprasad on their shoulders with a yoke. Of course, visitors are not allowed to touch them. The Suaras reverently carry the dried Mahaprasad in Sara - an earthen platter shaped like a round plate - on the open palms of their hands. 

Every time Dhupa is offered, a special temple attendant called Padhihari will enter the kitchen and start and call the Suaras and Mahasuaras -

Oh, Suaras and Mahasuras! Let the Amruta Manohi Bhogas be brought to the presence of their holiness!

After this, the bhogs are carried to the deities.

How to get Puri Jagannath Temple Mahaprasad?

Dhupas - the divine meals 

List of 56 bhogs

1. Sadha Anna  
2. Kanika  
3. Dahi Pakhal  
4. Ada Pakhal  
5. Thali Khechedi  
6. Ghea Anna  
7. Khechedi  
8. Mitha Pakhal  
9. Oria Pakhal  
10. Khaja  
11. Gaja 
12. Ladu  
13. Magaja Ladu
14. Jeera Ladu
15. Jagannath Ballav  
16. Khuruma  
17. Mathapuli  
18. Kakara 
19. Marichi Ladu  
20. Luni Khuruma  
21. Suar Pitha 
22. Chadai Lada 
23. Jhilli 
24. Kanti 
25. Manda
26. Amalu
27. Puri 
28. Luchi
29. Bara
30. Dahi Bara
31. Arisa 
32. Tripuri 
33. Rosapaik 
34. Khiri 
35. Papudi 
36. Khua
37. Rasabali
38. Tadia 
39. Chhena Khai 
40. Bapudi Khaja 
41. Khua Manda
42. Sarapulli 
43. Dali
44. Biri dali
45. Urid Dal
46. Muga Dal
47. Dalama
48. Maur
49. Besar
50. Sag 
51. Potala Rasa
52. Goti Baigana
53. Khata
54. Raita  
55. Pita
56. Baigilni

Why potato is not used in Jagannath Temple?

All vegetables of foreign origin are avoided in the Mahaprasad of Puri Jagannath temple. Potato was introduced in India by the Portuguese in the 17th century.

Is Mahaprasad available throughout the day?

At Ananda Bazar, Mahaprasad is available throughout the day. But fresh prasad of the day will be available after 2 pm. All items may not be available with every vendor. You will have to scout around a bit.