BHOG NAIVEDYA-PB

” Bhog Naivedya delves
into the origins of sacred foods in India and brings forth its incredible
diversity. Brilliantly researched and engagingly written, Sujata’s book is
peppered with delectable tales from mythology, sumptuous temple lore, the aromatic
linkages with kings and saints, mouth-watering food descriptions and much
more.   Travel from Badarinath Dham in
the Himalayas to the Krishna temples at Mathura and Nathdwara to discover the
lovingly-performed food rituals. Visit the Jyotirlinga of Kasi Vishwanath
temple in Varanasi and Trimbakeshwar temple in Nashik and learn about Lord
Shiva’s favourite foods. Moving to the east of India, we see a dramatic
change in the offerings, especially in the bhog offered to Goddess Shakti at
Kamakhya in Guwahati and then at Kalighat in Kolkata. Peep through the vents
in the kitchen walls of Puri’s Jagannath temple and watch the preparation of
Chappan Bhog in pots on clay chulhis (hearths), and thence to Tirupati to admire
the elaborate food offerings to Lord Balaji. Wander into sacred groves and
temples where serpent deities are worshipped with their choicest foods. Enjoy
the colourful worship at ISKCON, where bhog represents a philosophy. Relish
tasty prasadam at Srirangam and Chidambaram, follow Kumbakonam’s Navagraha
trail and then halt at the Padmanabhaswamy temple for delicious
payasams.   Listen to the boatmen of
Kerala singing along the way to a gargantuan sadya (feast) at Aranmula
Parthasarathy Temple. Tour the mega kitchens at Shirdi’s Prasadalaya and
gratefully accept the langar at the Golden Temple at Amritsar, taste the Maha
Ashtami Bhog at Kolkata’s Durga Pujo. Find the connection between Kannagi,
who burnt Madurai into cinders, and Pongala, when millions of women
congregate with their sacred hearths on the streets of
Thiruvananthapuram.   This is not just
faith, but also a nation’s food culture, brought to you on a puja thali!
“