Shree Jagannatha's Favourite Sweet And Food #RasagolaA2Z

Puri Dhaam or Jagannatha Dhaam is one of the Chaar Dhaam- four holiest places of visit for Hindus.

Shree Jagannatha is the Lord of the Universe.

Puri is called the Bhoga Kshetra as this is the place where God eats.

That explains the vast variety of dishes and foods offered to Shree Jagannatha at the Puri Temple.

The Shree Jagannatha Temple at Puri has one of the largest kitchens in the world and serves thousands of devotees. 

This 12th Century Temple is also called Shreemandira. 'Shree' means Goddess Lakshmi. It is believed that Devi Lakshmi cooks the food. 

People think that "Chhappan Bhog" (56 dishes/offerings) are available and served; however, the number of dishes is much more in number than 56. 

You can learn more in this post- 115 Varieties of Bhog of Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri

Earlier, I always thought that Rasagola (Rasgulla) is Shree Jagannatha's favourite sweet.

Like Rasagola, many sweets and dishes of Odisha like Chhenapoda are made using cottage-cheese i.e. Chhena.

In 2016, while researching to write a blog about 'Chhenapoda - Uncommon Food', I came across some reports that stated that Chhenapoda is Lord Jagannatha's favourite sweet.

(From L to R)- Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra & Lord Jagannath

Believing in those news media reports, this is the line I had earlier included in the same blog post-

"Not just to mere mortals, Chhenapoda appeals even to Lord Jagannath of Puri as it is the Lord’s favourite sweet!"

What is worse is that in November 2017, I had even shared this wrong info on a public platform - this TV debate!

Thankfully, the smart news journalist & anchor, Supriya, instantly pointed out my mistake and mentioned- Podapitha. 

Podapitha is another dessert of Odisha. It is offered to Shree Jagannatha on Bahuda Jatra.

"Poda" means burnt. As no burnt items are offered to the deities, a specially prepared Podapitha is offered as bhoga/prasad. This Podapitha is not burnt/roasted, rather it is fried using pure ghee as per age-old recipes and tradition. 

Such specially prepared Pithas are a part of Bhoga being offered daily to Shree Jagannatha and are Mahaprasad; and Podapitha is offered during Bahuda Jatra.

Though Podapitha and Chhenapoda are distinct dishes, they are often confused. Many erroneously use their names and images synonymously and interchangeably.

Yes, seems so.
Thus, wrote about the confusion between Chhenapoda & Podapitha.
There’s much misinformation & misrepresentation.
We tend to believe what we read.

I myself hv been guilty of sharing wrong info- “Chhenapoda is Shree Jagannatha’s favourite!”https://t.co/89q3sQJklU

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) April 5, 2021

Note: In reality-

1. Chhenapoda is NOT a part of the Mahaprasad or "Chhapan Bhoga" that is offered in the Shree Jagannatha Temple, Puri.

2. Chhenapoda is NOT Shree Jagannatha's favourite sweet.

However, look at these news reports (screenshot taken from the Google search results yesterday- 11th April 2021) :

After seeing such search results regarding Chhenapoda, a dish that is not even offered in the Puri Temple, what will anyone (who does not know the reality) believe?

Misled by such false statements and articles with incorrect information, subsequent articles/reports (that will be unfortunately based on these) will also have misinformation.

This is the way wrong information spreads.

Now, if those who know the truth, do not consider it their responsibility to share the reality, what can we expect? By being silent and mute spectators, we are indirectly being a party to spreading lies.

This has happened in the case of Rasagola too.

Note- 

1. Many dishes made of Chhena like Rasagola have been served in Puri Temple for centuries.

2. Chhena is NOT impure and it is NOT taboo to 'offer Gods curdled milk'.

Shree Jagannatha loves good food and clothes.

I am still looking for answers to the query- "Which is Shree Jagannatha's favourite sweet and food?" 

Many experts are unanimous that the Gita Govinda Khandua is his favourite garment.

The poet Jayadeva was born in Odisha and after composing the Gita Govinda in Puri, gifted it to the Lord by wrapping it in handloom cloth handwoven with the verses of his magnum opus.

You can learn more here-

Do you know how Lord #Jagannath, Puri Temple, & #Jayadeva, poet of #GitaGovinda, are linked with #Odisha handloom, more specifically with the #Khandua Saree & Fabrics? #OdishaGI #GIsofOdisha #KnowYourGI #GITag #LetsTalkIP #AToZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z https://t.co/vo9BojhsYj pic.twitter.com/AROTnYpzg7

— Dr. Anita Sabat (@anitaexplorer) April 12, 2020

Some find this Rasgulla issue 'sickening', 'tiring' and 'boring'; while others feel this 'fight' is 'silly and inconsequential'. Misinformation about Rasgulla continues. We have two choices- either accept the incorrect info regarding Rasgulla or share the facts and make everyone aware.

This writer has been consistently and persistently writing and sharing about this topic from 2014 onwards. Dedicated efforts have been to settle this Rasgulla debate and to put an end to this controversy once and for all. Thus, this writer had initiated the Rasagola Dibasa - Rasgulla Day celebration on social media in 2015. Thereafter, this writer had facilitated the filing of the 'Odisha Rasagola' GI application. Odisha has earned the GI Tag for Odisha Rasagola in July 2019. However, the misrepresentation and misleading, biased, and fake news reports, articles, and videos still continue. Such propaganda must stop. Rasagola's Odisha origin must be known and accepted. Only when the truth is shared, people can learn and be aware. May truth triumph.

I’m participating in the April #A2ZChallenge #BlogchatterA2Z

J For- (Shree) Jagannatha, Jagannath

I am writing A-Z posts about Rasagola- 26 Rasagola posts this April.

This sincere attempt is to share information about Rasagola/Rasgulla.

Rasagola is a part of Odisha's traditional knowledge, continuing tradition, cultural heritage and identity.  

You can check out my other Rasagola posts here.
This is my fifth #A2Z Challenge, and my last four challenges have been about Odisha, India. 

My previous #AToZChallenge posts here.

Are you aware of Rasagola/Rasgulla? Did you know that the Rasgulla originated in Odisha? 

Please do share any information about Rasgulla that you may have and that you feel must be documented and shared so that all are aware.