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Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami, holds great significance among Hindus across India as well as the globe. The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Janmashtami typically falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada, as per the Hindu lunar calendar.
Devotees observe fasts, engage in prayers, sing devotional songs, and visit temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. Besides, the festival is often associated with ceremonies like ‘Dahi Handi', where young men form human pyramids to break a pot filled with curd, symbolising Krishna's playful nature as a child.
This year, Janmashtami will fall on September 6 and 7. This auspicious day marks a few signature preparations of food that are offered to Lord Krishna and later eaten as prasad. One of the most iconic aspects of this festival is the preparation and sharing of special dishes that are believed to be Lord Krishna's favourites. Devotees fast during the day, breaking it only at midnight, the supposed time of Krishna's birth. At that time, they consume the foods that are offered to Krishna as prasad. Besides, they also make several other food items, especially at this festival. We have collated dishes that are specially made during Jantashtami. Take a look:
- Panjiri
It is considered the most important offering, or prasad, of this festival. Made with coriander seed powder, powdered sugar, desi ghee, cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios, mishri, and raisins, this dish is considered healthy and gut-friendly. This dish is popular in the Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Punjab regions of the country.
- Kheer
Made with milk, dry fruits, rice, sabudana, or makhana, this is one of the favourite dishes of the festival. Besides, this dessert has a rich taste of cardamom and saffron. It is offered to Lord Krishna as a part of ‘Chaapan Bhog' at the midnight celebration of Janmashtami.
- Maakhan Mishri
This is considered Lord Krishna’s favourite delight. Made with fresh homemade butter, also known as maakhan, and mishri, or sugar, this dish is made as an offering to Lord Krishna and distributed as prasad.
- Honey With Milk
Janmashtami is complete without the potent drink made of milk and honey. This drink is regarded as a symbol of purity and is offered to Lord Krishna and then distributed among the devotees.
- Gopalkala
This food is commonly known as the ‘food of the poor’ and is simply made with beaten rice, cucumber, coconut, curd, ghee, sugar, and roasted cumin seeds. After mixing all the ingredients, they are offered to Lord Krishna during midnight prayers.
- Makhana Paag
This is a special dish made on the eve of Janmashtami and uses lotus seeds, milk, ghee, and powdered sugar for its preparation. This sweet dish has a crispy flavour owing to the presence of makhana and is loved by kids.
- Charnamrit/Panchamrit
This milky concoction is made of fresh milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar or jaggery, tulsi leaves, and makhana and is used for bathing Lord Krishna at midnight celebrations. After the rituals are over, it is distributed among the devotees as a part of prasad.
- Rava Laddoo
This healthy and nutritious laddoo is made with roasted rava, grated coconut, dry fruits and nuts, sugar, and lots of ghee. Ghee and butter are believed to be Lord Krishna’s favourites. Besides, it is said the best way to please him is by offering food to the needy.
- Sabudana Khichdi
This light khichdi is made of soaked sabudana, green chilli, peanuts, sendha namak, tomato, and ghee. Regarded as a healthy snack, this dish is full of carbohydrates and will give you complete fullness after the completion of your fast.
- Gulab Jamun
This dish is considered the most popular sweet among Indians. Made with khoya, all-purpose flour, cardamom, cashew, rose water, sugar syrup, and a few strands of saffron, Gulab Jamun is served to Lord Krishna along with Rabri.
