Exploring Mahaprasad – The Sacred Abhada of Lord Jagannath, Puri Odisha

Indulge in the divine experience of Mahaprasad, also known as Abhada or Satvik Odia Bhojan at the Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha. Discover the unique fusion of gastronomy and religious significance in this sacred culinary offering. Immerse yourself in spiritual bliss as you seek Lord Jagannath’s blessings through this ancient devotional tradition.

Let’s uncover the facets and importance of Puri Mahaprasad – Abhada Bhoga

Historical significance of Puri Mahaprasad also known as Abhada Bhoga

In the Tretaya Yug, Lord Ram blessed Urmila, Lord Laxman’s wife, to become Goddess Vimala in the Kali Yug for her sacrifice during their 14-year exile. During this era, Lord Ram and Laxman would be worshipped as Lord Jagannath and Balabhadra in Puri. All food offered to Lord Jagannath must be presented to Goddess Vimala, after which it becomes Mahaprasad. This divinely blessed food, revered by devotees, remains central to worship at the Jagannath temple.

How Mahaprasad is prepared?

Mahaprasad, the sacred food offering at Jagannath Temple, includes 56 varieties prepared daily for the deities. This cuisine uses fresh ingredients like rice, lentils, vegetables, and spices. Dishes are boiled in traditional earthen pots (Kudua) over wood-fired stoves (chuli), maintaining authentic cooking methods passed down through centuries

Types of Mahaprasad Offerings: A Guide to Sankhudi and Sukhila Mahaprasad !!

Mahaprasad is offered to deities in two forms: Sankhudi (wet cooked food) and Sukhila (dry snacks). Sankhudi Bhoga is fresh food cooked at the “Rosha Mandapa” of Lord Jagannath Temple and taken to Bhoga Mandapa to be offered to the deities in Puri temple daily. After it’s presented to Lord Jagannath, Maa Vimala, Lord Balavadra and sister Subhadra, it becomes “Sankhudi Bhoga,” meaning it has been blessed by the divine touch.

When it leaves Bhoga Mandapa, it goes to Anand Bazar in Puri Temple where it’s served as Abhada to all devotees.

Sukhila Mahaprasad consists of sweet and salty dry items made from various flours like wheat, rice, whole wheat, along with jaggery, sweets and ghee.

List of Top Mahaprasad Dishes for a Heavenly Dining Experience !!

Here are the top Mahaprasad dishes – pure Satvik Odia Bhojan that cleanses both soul and mind. We offer these highly sought-after Mahaprasad collections perfect for religious gatherings through Rasabali Gourmet in Mumbai, Pune and other major Indian metro cities

1. Ada Hengu Khichdi: Ada hengu khichdi is a sacred offering (Mahaprasad) served before Lord Jagannath at the Puri Temple in Odisha. This divine mahaprasad, also called abhada, combines aromatic rice and whole green moong, boiled with grated ginger and asafoetida (hing), then sweetened with jaggery.
2. Kanika: Kanika is part of Mahaprasad dishes and a favorite in Lord Jagannath’s chhapan bhog offerings at Puri. People prepare this jaggery-sweetened yellow rice during festivals and pujas. They top it with drops of pure cow ghee and lightly fried dry fruits.
3. Arua Arna: Arua Arna is a divine Mahaprasad dish of fragrant white rice cooked until tender with Annapurna (Pandan) leaves for aroma. The rice is cooked, and just before serving, pure cow ghee is added to the pot, which is then covered. This creates a wholesome experience when eating this special abhada dish from Puri Temple in Odisha.
4. Mitha Dali: Mitha Dali is a key Mahaprasad (Odia Satvik Abhada) dish offered to Lord Jagannath in Puri. Cooked slowly in a Kudua clay pot without stirring, it combines toor dal, water, salt, turmeric, ginger, and hing water. Jaggery adds sweetness. The dish is finished with cumin seeds and hot cow ghee, creating a divine taste
5. Mandira Dalma: Manidra Dalma is a sacred lentil Puri Mahaprasad dish served to Lord Jagannath. It mixes toor dal with specific vegetables, cooked slowly in a Kudua clay pot. This holy food must be prepared only through boiling, with no stirring allowed. The final preparation includes adding whole cumin seeds and several spoonfuls of hot cow ghee, creating the rich traditional aroma of this abhada bhoga
6. Mahura: Mahura is a special vegetable Mahaprasad dish served as part of the sacred chhapan bhog offering at Puri Temple in Odisha. This abhada contains vegetables allowed by Lord Jagannath’s traditional recipes. It provides vitamins, minerals, and fiber that improve digestion, strengthen bones, and boost immunity.
7. Mandira Besara: Mandira besara is a Mahaprasad dish served at Puri Temple in Odisha. This tasty abhada dish combines various allowed vegetables following Lord Jagannath’s traditional recipes. Mustard seeds and black pepper give it a mild spicy flavor. The dish provides vitamins, minerals, and fiber, helping digestion, strengthening bones, and boosting immunity
8. Mandira Saga:  Mandira Saga is a special holy Mahaprasad food made by cooking green leafy vegetables with moong dal and some other vegetables, following Lord Jagannath Puri’s temple kitchen recipe. This traditional abhada bhoga contains good nutrients like Vitamin A, Vitamin C, iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium that help keep you healthy and strong.
9. Ambula Rai: Ambula Rai is a Mahaprasad dish offered in Puri temple, Odisha. This dish combines dried mango with mustard paste (Besara), chilies, coconut and yogurt. The medley abhada bhoga is tempered with panch phoron and jaggery is added at the final stage to create a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors.
10. Dahi Pachedi: Dahi Pachedi is a traditional Mahaprasad dish served to Lord Jagannath in Puri, Odisha, as part of the chhapan bhog offerings. One may make it by mixing yogurt, grated coconut, green chilies, ginger, and cut fruits. This abhada dish needs a light tempering of mustard seeds and red chili at the end. For an authentic taste, you must add a careful amount of jaggery.
11. Sara Rabdi: Sara Rabdi is a traditional Mahaprasad dessert served to Lord Shri Jagannath in Puri. Made from skimmed cow milk topped with milk cream called “Sara,” this dessert should be eaten cold to fully enjoy its distinctive flavor. Sara Rabidi represents one of Odisha’s classic sweet offerings.

When is the Best Time to Enjoy Mahaprasad? Unveiling the Spiritual Significance !!

Mahaparsad is a divine Satvik Odia Bhojan enjoyed year-round by all. Devotees savor this sacred food during major festivals like Rath Yatra and Makar Sankranti. Families directly share Mahaprasad during auspicious occasions like house warming, thread ceremony, marriages, and other traditional family functions to bring spiritual bliss. It is traditionally eaten by hand while sitting directly on the floor as a community.

Where to get the divine Mahaprasad?

To experience the divine food of Mahaprasad (also called abhada bhoga), visit Lord Jagannath temple in Puri, Odisha. You can also find Mahaprasad at other major temples in Odisha like Lingaraj Temple and Anant Vasudeva Temple in Bhubaneswar, and Chhatia Bata Temple in Jajpur.

If you live outside Odisha but want to taste this special food, look for a Jagannath Temple near you.

People in Mumbai and Pune can order large quantities from Rasabali Gourmet‘s Satvik Odia Prasad collection. It tastes very similar to the Mahaprasad from Puri. Rasabali also provides catering services for Satvik Odia Bhojan in major Indian cities.

Courtesy: Rasabali Prustha