Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: 5 Special Bhog Items Offered To Lord Jagannath You Don’t Know Much About

As the sacred Rath Yatra approaches on 27th June 2025, check out the list of 5 special bhog items offered to Lord Jagannath which you do not know much about.

Jagannath Rath Yatra 2025: 5 Special Bhog Items Offered To Lord Jagannath You Don’t Know Much About

1. Poda Pitha

Poda Pitha is a unique offering to Lord Jagannath, especially during the Rath Yatra period. It’s a slow-cooked rice cake made from fermented batter, with jaggery and grated coconut, giving it a rich, smoky flavour. What makes it special is how it’s cooked overnight on low fire, infusing it with an earthy aroma. This humble yet delicious dish carries the warmth of devotion. Though it’s a festive treat, it remains deeply rooted in local tradition. Devotees believe offering Poda Pitha pleases the Lord, who is said to relish its rustic taste during His stay at Gundicha Temple.

2. Enduri Pitha

Enduri Pitha is a delicate, fragrant preparation made using turmeric leaves, which are known for their medicinal and aromatic properties. A mixture of rice flour and a sweet coconut-jaggery filling is steamed inside these leaves, infusing the pitha with a gentle, natural scent. It’s one of the less commonly known bhog items offered to Lord Jagannath, particularly on special ritual days. The simplicity of the ingredients and the purity of the process reflect the deep connection between nature, nourishment, and divinity. For many devotees, the smell of turmeric leaves brings back childhood memories of devotion and festive kitchens.

3. Dahi Pakhala

Dahi Pakhala is a cooling, fermented rice dish mixed with curd and a hint of salt—light, soothing, and deeply traditional. It may sound basic, but in the scorching summers of Odisha, it becomes a divine blessing. Lord Jagannath is offered this humble preparation, especially when He is believed to need rest and comfort, like during the Anasara period before Rath Yatra. It’s served chilled, often with a few side accompaniments, as a gesture of love and care. 

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Lord Jagannath is one of the most revered manifestations of Lord Krishna, fervently worshipped in Puri, Odisha. (Image Source: Canva) 

4. Khaja

Khaja is a flaky, layered sweet that’s both crispy and tender—a delightful contrast. Made by frying dough and soaking it in sugar syrup, Khaja represents a special kind of offering to Lord Jagannath, especially during festivals. Though it may appear as a regular sweet, it holds religious value due to the method of its preparation, which follows age-old temple traditions. It’s said that the Lord enjoys the sweetness and texture of Khaja, and devotees feel blessed receiving it as Mahaprasad. The devotion in making Khaja lies not just in the ingredients but in the ritual behind every batch.

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5. Hanskeli

Hanskeli is a rare and lesser-known item among the bhog offerings to Lord Jagannath. It’s a traditional sweet dish, prepared with rice flour and milk, and flavoured with cardamom. It’s usually offered during specific occasions or rituals and not commonly found outside temple premises. The dish carries the weight of tradition, as it is carefully prepared following strict guidelines and offered with reverence. Hanskeli symbolises the deep-rooted culinary culture of Jagannath worship, where even the lesser-known dishes are treated with divine importance. Tasting it as Mahaprasad gives a feeling of spiritual closeness, like receiving something lovingly made by the Divine Mother.

(Disclaimer: This content includes advice providing generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified spiritual or astrological opinion. Always consult a specialist for more information before adopting any measures.)