Beyond the Myth: Understanding 60 Paunti and Mahaprasad at Shri Jagannath Temple

Many who are drawn to the spiritual aura of the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri, often hear about the “56 Bhoga” and associate that with the Mahaprasad. This blog post aims to clear up some common misconceptions about the Mahaprasad (holy food) of Lord Jagannath, specifically the difference between 56 Bhog and the 60 Paunti, which is more specific to the Jagannath Temple tradition.

The Misconception of 56 Bhog

The term “56 Bhog” is often used to describe the offerings to Lord Krishna, especially in Vrindavan and other parts of Northern India. However, it’s important to know that the Shri Jagannath Temple does not follow this tradition. What is specific to this temple is the concept of 60 Paunti.

Understanding 60 Paunti

• Not the Number of Dishes: It’s vital to understand that “60 Paunti” is not the number of dishes offered to Lord Jagannath. Rather it is a unit of measurement for the amount of food being prepared.

• A Dual Meaning: The term 60 Paunti actually signifies two things in the context of Shri Jagannath Temple:
  1. The number of different items that comprise the Abadha Mahaprasad.
  2. A unit of measurement for the quantity of Mahaprasad.

• The Quantity is a Secret: The exact quantity of the 60 Paunti is not publicly known and is known only to the Mahasuar (cook servitors) of the temple. They consider it a sacred secret and do not publicly share this information because they see it as a mother preparing food for her children; they do not share what she cooks, nor does she reveal the quantity.

Three Categories of Mahaprasad

The Mahaprasad at Shri Jagannath Temple can be broadly divided into three categories:

1. Abadha Mahaprasad: This category includes cooked rice, dal, curries (besara), etc. These represent the core offerings. There are a total of 60 items within this category, and this is what is referred to as the 60 paunti when used as a unit of measurement.

2. Dry Mahaprasad (Sukhila Mahaprasad): This includes dry offerings like Chadhei Nada (sweet coconut treats), Khaja (a type of fried dessert), pitha (cakes), and other dry items.

3. Milk-Based Mahaprasad: This includes all food items made from milk like rasagola and kheer.

Combining all of these three categories, the Shri Jagannath Temple offers more than 200 different types of food as Mahaprasad.

A Reminder of Divine Abundance

The tradition of 60 Paunti, and the secrecy surrounding it, reflect the abundance and the endless offerings to Lord Jagannath. It emphasizes the belief that the divine will always provide for those who seek it with love.

Bringing the Divine Blessings Home

If you are inspired by the devotion and the rich traditions surrounding the Mahaprasad at Shri Jagannath Temple, explore the handcrafted items at justkalinga.com. With worldwide shipping, you can bring a piece of this sacred tradition into your own home.

Jai jagannath 😊🙏