Janmashtami, one of the most awaited Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna will be observed on Monday. Krishna is believed to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu on earth. This year the day will be celebrated on September 3. Chappan bhog is a traditional practice of offering 56 dishes to Lord Krishna on his birthday which is practised for a long time. According to Hindu legends, Lord Krishna was born at midnight of the eighth day or the Ashtami of the holy month, Shravana, as per the Hindu Lunar calendar. The scriptures state that Lord Krishna was born in Mathura to Devaki. Just like it was prophecised, Krishna killed his uncle Kansa who kept his mother and father in jail during the time of his birth.  Krishna Jayanti is celebrated with great pomp and fervour in most states of the country.

As Krishna's parents Devaki and Vasudeva knew that Kansa would want to kill their son, he is sent to Vrindavan where he grows up as Yashoda and Nanda's son. Young Krishna was much loved by everyone in the town. He was popularly known as Makhan Chor (butter thief) for his love for butter for which along with his friends he could steal from all houses in the neighbourhood. He once saved the town from rains and flooding by lifting mount Govardhan on his finger which is associated with Chappan bhog. Lord Krishna and His 108 Names With Meanings in Hindi & English! From Govinda to Vasudeva, Chant These on Janmashtami 2018!

What is Chappan bhog

Lord Krishna's devotees also observe a fast on his birth anniversary and eat only a single meal before Janmashtami. Devotees prepare Chappan bhog and keep it as an offering before Krishna idols on Janmashtami. According to Hindu legends, people of Vrindavan offered lavish meals to God of Rain (Lord Indra) to bless them with good rainfall and harvest. Little Krishna found the practice very cruel towards poor farmers. He promised the villagers that he will take care of their needs. Krishna Janmashtami 2018: Janmashtami Decorations, Their Significance and Simple DIY Ideas, Watch Video

However, Lord Indra was angered by it and triggered incessant rains in Vrindavan. As the situation led to floods, people ran to Krishna for help. He asked everyone to go to the Govardhan hill and once people reached the place, he lifted the hill. As storm and rains continued, people took shelter beneath the hill. The calamity continued for seven days and Krishna is believed to have stood there holding the hill at the tip of his little finger without food or water. Janmashtami 2018 Wishes: Best WhatsApp Messages, GIF Images, Facebook Status & SMS to Send Gokulashtami Greetings on Lord Krishna’s Birthday!

Here is why 56 dishes are prepared

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Lord Indra finally brought the rains to an end on the eighth day. People prepare 56 dishes because Lord Krishna used to have eight dishes in a day. And as he did not have anything for seven days, devotees prepare 56 dishes for him as a gratitude.

56 foods included in the Chappan Bhog

Chappan bhog consists of fruits, cereals, dry fruits, pickles, sweets, drinks and namkeen. People offer different variations of the dishes depending on availability. Krishna Janmashtami 2018: What Is The Significance of Lord Krishna’s Birth in Hinduism and Why Is It Celebrated?

Here is the food included in the 56 items:

One variation of the food includes seven types of cereals, seven types of fruits, seven types of Dry fruits, seven types of vegetables, seven types of sweets, seven types of drinks, seven types of namkeen, seven types of sauces or pickles

Another variation includes 16 kinds of namkeen, 20 kinds of sweets and 20 kinds of dry fruit. The 56 items which are offered include spinach, curd, rice, roti, mathi, daal, chutney, kadi, chila, papad, chickpeas, dalia, khichadi, pakode, coconut chutney, poori.

Sweets, desserts and snacks include jalebi, laddoo, malpuda, murabba, shakkarpaara, ghewar, rasgulla, rabri, kheer, mohanbhog, moong dal ka halwa and kachori. Drinks include mattha, lassi, badam milk, coconut water and shikanjvi. Vegetables and fruits include bottle gourd, brinjal, mango, banana, grapes, apple and plum. Dry fruits include cashew nuts, almonds, raisins and pistachios. Food enhances offered include ghee and honey, butter and malai. Devotees also offer tikki, sweet rice, bhuji, pudina chutney, fennel seeds, paan, betel nuts and cardamom.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 02, 2018 12:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).