Why 56 Dishes for Laddu Gopal? Answer Lies in Krishna's Folk Tale

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): When the child form of Shri Krishna resides in the minds of devotees, every pore of the body blossoms. On the special occasion of his birthday, special preparations begin in every house, swings are decorated, conches are blown, and 56 bhogs are prepared to welcome their Laddu Gopal. The reason behind making 56 bhogs is described in a popular story (which is related to the childhood of Lord Shri Krishna).

According to the folk tale, once all the Brijvasis were busy preparing for a puja to please Lord Indra. Kanha ji was watching these preparations very carefully, then he asked Nand Baba why people are worshipping Lord Indra. To this Nand Baba replied that for rain, good rain will happen only when Lord Indra is pleased. To this Kanha said that it is Indradev's job to bring rain, we should worship Govardhan mountain, because it is because of Govardhan mountain that we get fruits, vegetables and fodder for animals.

People found Krishna's words correct and everyone started worshipping Govardhan mountain, but this angered Indradev and he caused so much rain that Brijvasis were troubled. To protect Brijvasis from Indradev's fury, Krishna lifted Govardhan mountain with his little finger, after which Brijvasis took shelter under the mountain along with their animals.

According to the legend, Shri Krishna stood holding the Govardhan mountain on his finger for the entire 7 days. When Indradev realized the divine form of Krishna, he apologized to Krishna on the eighth day and stopped the rain.

For these seven days, Krishna kept the mountain lifted on his little finger without eating or drinking anything. Then mother Yashoda prepared 56 bhogs for her Kanha, because Yashoda used to feed her son eight times a day. In such a situation, 56 bhogs were prepared by combining the eight meals of 7 days and fed to Krishna. It is said that after this the tradition of offering fifty-six bhogs to Kanha started.

Chhappan bhog means 56 types of dishes in which every taste and every emotion is hidden. These dishes are made by mixing 6 tastes, which include sweet, salty, sour, spicy, bitter and astringent.