In many Indian homes, festivals mean that the members of the household start their day early and start preparing special festive dishes that are shared and distributed among family and friends or special offerings that are presented before God before the festivities begin. The process of preparing prashad is as significant as the offerings themselves, as it symbolises purity, devotion, and the joy of sharing blessings with loved ones.
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The ingredients for prashad are chosen with care, often including simple, pure elements that are both nourishing and symbolic. Common staples include milk, ghee, and grains, all of which have deep spiritual significance in Hindu rituals. The act of preparing prashad is traditionally done in a clean, sacred environment, ensuring that the offerings are made with the utmost respect and reverence.
The process often begins early in the day, allowing for a calm, meditative atmosphere in which the offerings are created. Whether you are grinding grains, boiling milk, or mixing ingredients, the focus remains on the intention behind the preparation—offering the best of what you have to Lord Krishna.
Once prepared, the prashad is placed in the puja ghar (prayer room) in front of the deity, accompanied by flowers, incense sticks, and a lamp. Prayers are offered, and the prashad is presented to Lord Krishna before being shared with family, friends, and the community. If you are making prashad at home, this Janmashtami, here are some dishes you can make.
Makhan Mishri
Makhan or freshly churned butter, mixed with mishri (rock sugar) is probably the most commonly made and the most iconic offering made for Janmashtami. As a child, Krishna was known as ‘Makhan Chor’ or the butter thief because of his love for this simple and divine food. Fresh, unsalted butter is churned and mixed with small crystals of mishri. This dish is a representation of the food Krishna would have relished during his childhood in Vrindavan. It is traditionally prepared in small, earthen pots.
Panjiri
Panjiri is a traditional prashad made in many North Indian households during Janmashtami. It is considered to be a highly nutritious dish made with whole wheat flour roasted in ghee, sugar, and a mixture of dry fruits, nuts, and edible gum (gond). The ingredients are slowly roasted to perfection. Panjiri is known for its energy-boosting properties.
Peda
This popular Indian sweet is often offered as prashad during religious festivals, including Janmashtami. The soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture and sweet taste make it a delightful offering for Lord Krishna, who is known to have a fondness for milk and dairy products. Peda is made from khoya (reduced milk), sugar, and cardamom. The mixture is cooked until it thickens and is then shaped into small, round discs. Often garnished with nuts like almonds or pistachios, peda is both easy to make and a favourite among devotees.
Sabudana Khichdi
Sabudana Khichdi is a light, gluten-free dish made from tapioca pearls (sabudana), often prepared during fasting periods in India. On Janmashtami, it serves as a filling prashad dish. Soaked sabudana is sautéed with ghee, cumin seeds, green chillies, peanuts, and boiled potatoes. The dish is seasoned with salt and garnished with fresh coriander leaves.
Gopalkala
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Gopalkala is a traditional dish from Maharashtra, often referred to as Lord Krishna’s favourite food. It’s a savoury mixture that represents the simple, rustic meals Krishna would have enjoyed. Gopalkala is made by mixing poha (flattened rice) with yoghurt, cucumber, grated coconut, green chilies, and mustard seeds. It is then seasoned with salt and garnished with fresh coriander leaves.
Kheer
Kheer is a classic Indian dessert made from rice, milk, and sugar, and then flavoured with cardamom, saffron, and garnished with nuts. It is one of the most common prashads offered during religious festivals. Rice is slowly simmered in milk until it becomes creamy. Sugar, cardamom, and saffron are added to enhance the flavour. The kheer is then garnished with slivers of almonds, pistachios, and sometimes raisins. This rich, creamy dessert is a favourite offering during Janmashtami.
Charnamrit
Charnamrit when translated means, ‘nectar from the feet of the Lord.’ On Janmashtami, it is a special offering that holds great significance, symbolising the divine blessings of Lord Krishna. Charnamrit is made from a mixture of milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and tulsi leaves. Sometimes, a small amount of gangajal (holy water) is also added. This sacred concoction is distributed among devotees after the rituals and prayers.