नैवेद्यम - Naivedyam and भोग - Bhog

Mango Fruit in Naivedyam

          After a God is given a bath, clothes, decoration and seat during the worship, it is time to offer Him foods. The eatable offerings to the God are named as नैवेद्य (Naivedya) or नैवेद्यम (Naivedyam). It includes sweets, the porridge of rice (खीर), fruits and dry fruits. Some items are favorite of a particular God. Like, the "Laddoos" are favorite of Ganesha, Bal-Krishna and Hanuman. "Laddoos" are Indian sweets made of Gram-Powder, sugar and ghee. Ripe bananas and mangos are typical Indian fruits which are offered to Gods. There are special occasions when some special eatables are offered to Gods. For example, "Thekua" which is made from wheat flour, ghee and sugar, is offered to Sun God and "Chhathi Maiya" Goddess on the occasion of the festival of "Chhath". Similarly, on the eighth day of "Navaratra" (अष्टमी) during Dussehra, the homemade "Thekua", "Purukiya" (Gujhiya-गुझिया), "Pua" and "Kheer" are offered to the Goddess as "Naivedyam". These homemade items are known as "Pakwan". So, these are following types of Naivedyam:-

Pakwan (Thekua) in Naivedyam

1. Fruits - फल 
2. Sweets - मिष्टान्न 
3. Cooked - पकवान 
                 Though salt is not made a part of Cooked (पकवान) Naivedyam as it is considered 'Tamasic' (तामसी) thing. In general, the Naivedyam is even not let to be touched with the salt. In rural areas, the things with salt, onion and garlic are termed as "Sakhari" and without it is termed as "Arba". So only "Arba" items are allowed to the God as Naivedyam. 
           But there are also exceptions to it. First, in some families, Child form of God Krishna is worshiped - called 'Bal-Krishna'. Those Vaishnava families offer Naivedyam whatever is cooked in their kitchen even including salt - It is called "Bhog". The First food is offered to 'Bal-Krishna' and the rest of the food is consumed by the family as Prasadam. In Jagannathpuri, God Krishna is offered cooked rice as "Bhog" and there too there is no restriction on salt.    
         Second, during the Durga Puja celebrations in the temples, the Goddess is offered "Khichdi" as Bhog on the seventh, eighth and ninth days (Saptami, Ashtami and Navami). Khichdi is a recipe in which rice, vegetables, oil and salt are cooked together. 
            Naivedyam is topped with Tulsi leaves. Since a person also requires water when eating, so after Naivedyam a bit of pure water (Jalam-जलं) is offered as "Achman Jal". 
            In "Shiva_Manas_Puja" Strotam we can see what Shiva is being offered:-

Sauvarne  navratna  khand  rachite          paatre   ghritam   paayasam

Bhakshyam panchvidham payodadhiyutam rambha phalam panakam

Shakanamyutam     jalam        ruchikaram     karpur    khandojjwalam

Tambulam   mansa   maya   virachitam    bhaktya   prabho   sweekuru

(O God! I am offering you the porridge of rice (खीर) and Ghee (Clarified butter) in a golden pot that is embedded with many precious stones. Please consume the drink which is made by ripe bananas and curd (दही). Please drink the water that is scented with different leaves and a piece of Camphor (Karpoor or Kapoor). I have made a "Paan" (Betel leaves roll) in my imagination with full devotion, please O God accept these things.)
               Bhagwan Tirupati Balaji is offered special 'Laddoos' as Naivedyam which is famous. The same type of Laddoos are also sold at Mahavir Mandir, Patna.  
              The Coconut is one of the fruits which is mostly offered to The Goddess (Bhagawati) and Shiva. While offering to the Goddess Kali it is considered as a sacrifice (Bali). It is due to the fact that in the Hindu Mythology the coconut is considered as a human being made by Great Rishi Vishwamitra with his force of 'Tapa'. It is broken in front of the Goddess as a sacrifice.
                  When the worship is complete the Naivedya becomes Prasad or Prasadam. There is the importance of taking prasad with respect. 
                 One thing is to be noted that though Naivedya offered to Gods is consumed as Prasada but if something is touched to Shivalinga as Naivedyam it is not consumed as Prasada until it is given to you by a priest with his own will. 

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