A TO Z INDIA - OCTOBER 2021
Bharat, Hindustaan and India - The politics of naming is part of the social production of the nation. Its processes are shaped by broad socio-political conditions and can be studied from several angles. In the 19th century the name Bhārata was used to refer to the geographical, political and administrative entity that the colonial power called ‘India’; Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam: Career scientist and Science administrator Bharat Ratna - Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was the 11th President of India (2002-2007).
Bharat, Hindustaan and India - The politics of naming is part of the social production of the nation. Its processes are shaped by broad socio-political conditions and can be studied from several angles. In the 19th century the name Bhārata was used to refer to the geographical, political and administrative entity that the colonial power called ‘India’; Dr.APJ Abdul Kalam: Career scientist and Science administrator Bharat Ratna - Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, was the 11th President of India (2002-2007).
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
A TO Z INDIA ● OCTOBER 2021 ● PAGE 19
Jay Jagannath , Jagannath Puri Temple, Odisha
Dhanu Muan and Pahili Bhoga
T.K.V. Karuna
tkvkaruna@gmail.com
Dhanu Sankranti is celebrated on the first day of
lunar Pousha month. The month of Pousha is
considered the month of plenty. After collecting the
harvest there is a festival of general rejoicing with
special sweets of ‘Muan’(a traditional sweet dish)
which is offered to Lord Jagannath in puja. In the
month of Dhanu Sankranti, Gopal Ballav Bhog is
offered along with Pahali Bhog (the first offering).
The Pahili Bhog is the traditional morning offering to
the Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess
Subadhra (famously known as the Trinity) which
continues from the Dhanu Sankranti to Makara
Sankranti as per the Odia almanac.
Dhanu Muan and Pahili Bhoga are alse offered at
Kantilo & Godess Mangala at Kakatpur.
Gopal Vallabh Bhog:
The offering is the first one of the daily Prasad to
Lord Jagannath. The Bhogs are offered at the
Anabsar Pindi. Breakfast is a seven item treat –
Khoya, Lahuni (butter), sweetened coconut grating,
coconut water, and popcorn sweetened with sugar
known as khai and curd and ripe bananas.
Pahili Bhoga:
First Food offered is early in the morning. It is a
delicious Khechedi preparation. The episode runs
that as Mahalaxmi, the divine consort moves to her
father’s house, Yosoda, the mother of Lord herself
prepare this delicious Khechedi to the utmost
satisfaction of her son.
As the celestial sun enters Sagittarius, the people of
Odisha observe Dhanu Sankranti with much joy and
gaiety. “Around 27 types of delicacies comprising of
different pithas are prepared for the Pahili Bhog.
Dhanu Muan, a special sweet made of sweetened
rice flakes is a main attraction for the devotees who
flock to the temple for the bhog. This offering
continues for about a month till Makar Sankranti
(January 14-15).
During this period, the people refrain from anything
auspicious like marriages, engagements, thread
ceremonies, etc. World famous biggest open-air
theatre Dhanu Jatra is held during this period in
Odisha’s Bargarh City. The 11-day long Jatra
showcases scenes from Lord Krishna’s birth to the
death of the demon king Kansa. Metaphorically,
Bargarh becomes Mathura during this festival and
river Jeera represents river Yamuna.
Change language