Bhojan Prasad

Thought I would make a list of temples where I have had bhojan prasad at:

1. Of course first and foremost is Tirumala = Tirupathi. I am sure most would have had the bhojana prasad at this hill temple. I have had at least three times but that was all before the 1990s. Remember their paruppu podi with hot ghee poured into rice even now!
2. Lunched at Shri Sharadambal temple, Sringeri twice: once in VIP hall in 2019 and for a second time this j an 2024 with general janata. Frankly I don’t like to eat at VIP.
3. Bhagawathi temple, Chottanikkara, Kerala: best by far served with aravana payasam (kheer) jan 2023
4. In the same temple when my cousin got married in 2004 had a fantastic feast that was served by the groom’s family. not temple.
5. Thirunageshwaram : the one and only temple in Tamil nadu where I have had a full lunch meal in 2019
6. Mookambika temple, Kollur,, jan 2024, VIP seating. dinner.
7. Sri Krishna temple, Udipi, jan 2024. dinner
8. Maha Kali temple, Ambalpadi, Mangalore ,, jan 2024. the lunch was very elaborate. Learnt the word saru for rasam!
9. Anna Poorna temple, Horanadu, Karnataka, jan 2024 : had dinner and breakfast
10. Annapoorna temple bhojana at Kashi Annapoorna Visalakshi temple, Varanasi, Dec 2024
11. Shankara mutt, Kanchipuram, october 2023 . very nice lunch.
12. Lunch at an Ashram that I don’t want to mention at Rishikesh. Healthiest food served with sweet meant for sadhus/yogis. Very sumptuous. Prepared by yogis themselves.
13. During our residence in Malaysia 1997-2001, lunched at every temple we visited. KL temple that I don’t remember and Murugan temple at Maran were the rare ones. Always had dinner at temples in Terengganu without which the temple visits were not considered complete.
14. In Kumbakonam, the hot venpongal prasad at the time of temple opening is unforgettable. Got a chance to have this breakfast prasad at Garbarakshambika temple at Thirukarugavur and at Thirumancheri temple. Lots more prasads from Perumal temples as well. But this list is about the full meal bhojan prasad.

Temple bhojan is very simple fare. Satwik naturally. An added kheer would be treated as luxury. In Chottanikkara alone, they made you wash the plates and tumblers in stainless steel and made us say the prayer to Hindu goddess of food and abundance Mother Annapoorna. In some temples the bhojana prasad was served in banana leaves. In some, the bhojan was served in stainless steel plates to devotees seated in rows and rows. At a time I am sure at least 500 ate in a batch. Food served in temples is not mere bhojan: it is prasad from the deity Herself/Himself. I feel most blessed to have had the bhojan prasad from this many temples. IN all other states except mine I notice that the general janata who have the bhojan prasad in temples come from mixed backgrounds where the rich and the poor eat together forgetting their social status. Whereas in Tamil nadu, only the poorest eat the temple bhojan. Quality of food served is also poorest. One more thing I want to underscore: i did not know about VIP seating and I really hated myself for eating at shiny stainless steel tables while the general janata were seated in the floor. Someone got me the bhojan token. I also noticed that the brahman bhojan is separate dining at Sri Krishna temple, Udipi. This discrimination is awful. Such a difference in the abode of god in this 21st century is unthinkable. Then there is no point in serving Annadhanam at all. VIP seating is bad enough but it is mostly for visiting dignitaries for security reasons or for those who cannot sit on the floor to eat, like very senior citizens. If you know someone at the temple, you can get a VIP token that can get you a table, that is all. For Udipi mutts I have this to say: hopefully you can find brahman bhojan dining in Vaikuntam with your caste card. But remember to flash it first at the gate. Otherwise Udipi is a great place. Been here thrice in my life. This last time, at the ratri puja, was seated before sri Krishna for over 3-4 hours. Singing straight to His face bhajans will remain etched in my memory for ever. Imagine my spirit souring right after the puja/darshans when the word brahman bhojan fell in my ears. Udipi is all about Kanakadasa. When you practise discriminations, the very purpose and logic of the Udipi temple is lost, is it not.

I would like everyone to try to simple temple bhojan prasad. Thousands of devotees have the prasad every single day and night even if its not a full, elaborate menu. We consider this as prasad fed by the gods themselves. It is also equally important to contribute generously towards Annadhana. Annadhana or the bhojan prasad schemes run on public Hundi funds only. We can also make direct/online contributions for Annadhana. Those visiting any Annapoorna temple must never forget to give donations for rice for Annadhana.