Every pilgrimage destination in the 'Chaar Dham' have its own importance

KOLKATA: Each of the authentic “Chaar Dham” which are also considered the four most important pilgrimage sites of the Hindus have a distinct importance of its own. As per the scriptures, it is believed that Lord Vishnu takes his bath at Rameshwaram, meditates at Badrinath, dines at Puri and retires at Dwarka.
Hence, a lot of importance is given to the food that is offered to Lord Jagannath, who is considered to be the Lord of the universe.At ISKCON Mayapur Gundicha temple, where Lord Jagannath alongwith his siblings – Baladev and Subadhra have been residing for eight days as a part of Rath Yatra festivities till the Ulta Rath Yatra on July 14, devotees enthusiastically engage themselves in the process of cooking and offering sumptuous delicacies for the pleasure of the Lord.
As many as 60 devotees under the guidance of a head cook toil night and day to prepare the Maha Prasad. Lord Jagannath is served food for 6 times in a day - beginning at 4.30am, 8.00am, 12.00 noon, also called as Raj Bhoga, 4.00pm known as Upal Bhog, 7.45pm and 8.30pm as Sayan bhog(before sleep). During morning hours several types of mouth watering sweets like rasamalai, barfi, sandesh, halwa along with poori and variety of juices are being presented. The Raj Bhog in the afternoon is considered to be the most important offering.
As many as 56 delicious items or Chappan Bhog are prepared which includes 40 types of vegetable and dal dishes, 6 types of rice, 10 types of traditional sweets like various types of peethas, paish, rasagolla, malpoa, and many more. Other than this, the menu also includes continental dishes like custard and coconut cake which becomes a part of the evening appetite.
Each day, khir becomes the last offering at night. Gaur Hari Das who masterminds the finger liking delicacies for Lord Jagannath is always seen wearing a broad smile on his face, much like the Lord himself! All the offerings are indigenously made by the devotees and nothing is being purchased from outside, informed Das.
As emphasised by Swami Srila Prabhupad, founder of ISKCON, distribution of Mahaprasad can bring peace and prosperity in society, the devotees distribute the MahaPrasad to all who come to Mayapur from July 7 to July 13. More than 600 people are gathering everyday at Mayapur for the prasad.