Krishna Janmashtami 2025 will be celebrated on Saturday, August 16, marking the divine birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. On this auspicious day, devotees prepare the grand Chhappan Bhog, meaning “56 offerings,” as a sacred gesture of love and devotion towards the deity. The elaborate spread includes a variety of sweets, snacks, savouries, rice, grains, curries, fruits, beverages, and special delicacies, each symbolising abundance and gratitude. From Krishna’s favourites like Makhan Mishri, Peda, and Kheer to savoury treats and refreshing drinks, every item reflects the joy of devotion. Temples and homes across India will be adorned with these offerings, celebrating the festival with fervour, faith and festive flavours. Janmashtami 2025: Shri Krishna Janma Bhoomi Temple in Mathura Illuminates in Colours of Operation Sindoor and Lights (Watch Video).

Significance of Chhappan Bhog on Krishna Janmashtami

The tradition of offering Chhappan Bhog to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami is rooted in a beautiful legend. It is believed that when Krishna lifted the Govardhan Hill to protect the villagers of Vrindavan from torrential rains, He went without food for seven days. To express their gratitude and love, the villagers prepared a grand feast of 56 different food items, eight meals for each of the seven days, and offered it to Him once the storm had passed. Since then, devotees have continued this ritual, believing that presenting Chhappan Bhog not only pleases the Lord but also brings blessings, prosperity, and divine grace into their lives. Krishna Janmashtami 2025 Date in India: Know Gokulashtami Puja Rituals, History and Significance To Celebrate Lord Krishna’s Birthday.

The celebration's highlight is the midnight birth ritual, accompanied by kirtans, chants, and abhishekam (ceremonial bathing) of baby Krishna idols with panchamrit. Devotees observe fasts throughout the day and break them after offering bhog (sacred food) to the deity. A special variety of bhog items is prepared and offered to Krishna, reflecting his love for dairy and sweets. Here’s the Chhappan Bhog (56 Bhog) list traditionally offered to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami.

Sweets

1. Makhan Mishri – Fresh butter mixed with sugar crystals, Krishna’s favourite.

2. Peda – Soft milk sweets with cardamom.

3. Malpua – Ghee-fried sweet pancakes soaked in sugar syrup.

4. Kheer – Creamy rice pudding with cardamom and nuts.

5. Makhana Kheer – Lotus seed pudding with milk and sugar.

6. Rasgulla – Soft cottage cheese balls in light sugar syrup.

7. Sandesh – Bengali sweet made from fresh paneer and sugar.

8. Boondi Ladoo – Gram flour pearls bound in sugar syrup.

9. Besan Ladoo – Sweet chickpea flour balls with ghee.

10. Kalakand – Soft, grainy milk fudge.

11. Rabri – Thickened sweetened milk with dry fruits.

12. Barfi – Milk-based sweet in various flavours.

13. Motichoor Ladoo – Tiny boondi pearls made into ladoos.

14. Halwa (Sooji) – Semolina halwa flavoured with cardamom.

15. Halwa (Moong Dal) – Lentil halwa cooked in ghee and sugar.

16. Gulab Jamun – Fried dough balls soaked in sugar syrup.

17. Coconut Ladoo – Coconut and condensed milk rolled into ladoos.

18. Sweet Poha – Flattened rice sweetened with jaggery.

19. Til Ladoo – Sesame seed ladoos bound with jaggery.

20. Jalebi – Spiral fried sweet soaked in sugar syrup.

Snacks & Savouries

21. Mathri – Crisp, flaky wheat flour crackers.

22. Namak Pare – Savoury fried wheat flour sticks.

23. Chivda – Lightly spiced flattened rice snack.

24. Sev – Thin, fried chickpea flour noodles.

25. Khasta Kachori – Crisp pastry stuffed with spiced dal.

26. Samosa – Fried pastry with savoury potato filling.

27. Pakora – Gram flour fritters with vegetables.

28. Dhokla – Steamed gram flour cakes.

29. Poori – Deep-fried wheat bread.

30. Papad – Thin, crisp lentil wafers.

Rice & Grains

31. Jeera Rice – Fragrant cumin-flavoured rice.

32. Sweet Rice – Rice cooked with sugar and saffron.

33. Curd Rice – Rice mixed with yoghurt and mild seasoning.

34. Poha Pulav – Flattened rice cooked with vegetables and spices.

Curries & Lentils

35. Aloo Tamatar Curry – Potatoes in a mild tomato gravy.

36. Chana Dal – Mildly spiced Bengal gram dal.

37. Matar Paneer – Cottage cheese with green peas in gravy.

38. Lauki Curry – Bottle gourd in a light curry.

39. Kadhi – Yoghurt-based curry with gram flour.

40. Rajma – Kidney beans in tomato gravy.

41. Palak Paneer – Spinach gravy with cottage cheese.

Fruits & Salads

42. Seasonal Fruits – Apples, bananas, grapes, pomegranate, etc.

43. Fruit Chaat – Mixed fruits with mild spices.

44. Cucumber Salad – Fresh cucumber slices with rock salt.

45. Tomato Salad – Tomato slices with pepper and salt.

Beverages

46. Lassi – Sweet yoghurt drink.

47. Chaas – Salted buttermilk.

48. Panchamrit – Sacred drink made with milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar.

49. Sweet Lemon Water – Lemon juice with sugar and cardamom.

50. Aam Panna – Raw mango drink with spices (seasonal).

Special Offerings

51. Panjiri – Wheat flour with ghee, sugar, and nuts.

52. Methi Ladoo – Fenugreek seed ladoos with jaggery.

53. Kesari – Sweet saffron-flavoured semolina dish.

54. Churma – Crushed wheat balls mixed with ghee and sugar.

55. Makhana Namkeen – Roasted lotus seeds with rock salt.

56. Dry Fruits Mix – Cashews, almonds, raisins, pistachios, and figs offered together.

These offerings are not merely food items but expressions of love, devotion, and reverence. Sharing the prasad with others symbolises the joy of divine blessings and reinforces the spirit of unity and dedication that Krishna Janmashtami brings into every devotee’s heart.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2025 12:29 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).