Hyderabad’s 350-Year-Old Math To Offer 3 Tonnes of Chhappan Bhog on Jagannath Rath
Historic Jagannath Dwara Math to make India's first Rath-top Chhappan Bhog offering.
Hyderabad: For the first time in India, three tonnes of Chhappan Bhog will be offered to Lord Jagannath on his chariot during the Rath Yatra. The 350‑year‑old Jagannath Dwara Math at Khaki Akhada, Jumerat Bazaar, in the Old City, is preparing for the grand event on Thursday. The temple committee said the Math and its age‑old chariot are among the oldest in the state, with devotees from surrounding areas visiting for four to six generations.
The procession, which draws thousands of devotees, will use the same chariot whose wood dates back centuries, though repaired over time. Math Khaki Akhada remains a spiritual centre where discourses are delivered continually, attended largely by locals from Begum Bazaar.
Mahadaitapathi and Mahamandaleshwar Baba Amrith Das Khaki told Deccan Chronicle: “Fifteen days before the festival, the Lord is given a ritual bath, after which he is believed to suffer fever. During this period he is offered only ‘Kadha’ medicine. On the day of the festival, he is served Chhappan Bhog.” He added: “Usually Chhappan Bhog is offered in the temple. This year, for the very first time in India, it will be served on the Rath during the yatra.”
Organisers estimate the number of devotees will quadruple this year. The Rath Yatra will begin at 12:01 pm on Thursday, touring the Begum Bazaar area. In the evening, a special Chhappan Bhog darshan will be held, offering devotees the chance to witness the sacred offering of 56 varieties of bhog to Lord Jagannath.
Avinash Devda, one of the organisers, said: “This is my fourth generation. Most of our community members visit the temple regularly. Even the Nizam, the ruler of Hyderabad, used to attend. Preparing Chhappan Bhog takes a week, and cooks must maintain strict physical and mental hygiene.”
Another organiser, Anil Ladda, said: “Known for housing sacred Shaligrams, the Math hosts grand cultural and religious events such as the Rath Yatra, Snana Yatra and Srimad Bhagavath Katha annually, drawing large crowds and state dignitaries. It has stood as a landmark for centuries, preserving spiritual heritage.”
