The Janmashtami is around the corner. The Krishna Janmashtami, popularly called gokul ashtmi, Sri Krishna Jayanthi or Sri Krishna Ashtami, is a joyful festival celebrated by Indians across the world. Krishna Janmashtami festival marks the birthday of lord Krishna and is celebrated in the traditional month of Bhadrapada, which is around August or September. Janmashtami 2024 falls on 26th August. It is a two-day festival; hence, the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami extends to the 27th as well.
According to the epics, Krishna was born at midnight in the prison where his parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, were imprisoned. Devaki and her husband were put into prison by Devaki's brother Kamsa due to a prophecy that the 8th son of Devaki would kill Kamsa. At the night Krishna was born, the prison guards fell asleep, the prison door opened miraculously, and a path appeared. Vasudeva carried lord Krishna to Nanda and Yashoda's home. Krishna grew up surrounded by loving foster parents, friends, gopikas, especially Radha and herding cows.
Krishna was particularly fond of butter in his childhood and was known for his mischievous deeds of stealing butter from earthen pots.
The Janmashtami is a much-loved festival because it celebrates Krishna's childhood. Janmashtami is celebrated in India by fasting, performing pooja, preparing bhog or offering to Lord Krishna, dahi handi, decorating homes and visiting temples.
Here are some rituals, events and stories about Janmashtami.
Fasting
Fasting is integral to the Sri Krishna Janmashtami celebration in certain regions. Usually, people fast from dawn to midnight or the entire day. It is believed that Krishna was born at midnight. Hence, the fast is broken at midnight by sharing the traditional food prepared at home.
Decorating Homes and Performing Pooja
The home is decorated with rangolis, and sometimes people draw little footprints of lord Krishna from the threshold to the pooja room to symbolize Krishna's entry to the home. Bathing and decorating the idol, placing Radha Krishna on the swing, and making peacock feathers, etc., are done.
Chappan Bhog and its Story
The bhog is the food offering made to lord Krishna. The most famous bhog is the Chappan bhog. The chappan means 56. Hence, the Chappan bhog consists of 56 food items including Makhan mishri, Kheer, laddu, burfi, halwa, fruits, rice and vegetable dishes, dal recipes, etc.
According to legends, it is said that chappan bhog was first made by villagers after Krisha protected them from rain and flood by holding the Govardhan Mountain on his finger for seven days without having any food. The whole 56 bhog for Janmashtami is a celebration of a multitude of flavors ranging from bitter and pungent to sweet. The dishes with milk are a must-have since they are loved by Krishna.
Dahi Handi
Dahi Handi is a spectacular event held as a part of Krishna Janmashtami, and this year, the event falls on the 27th of August. This eventful celebration mimics Krishna and his friends stealing butter or Makhan by forming human pyramids. The earthen pot will be hung high, filled with butter and Krishna’s favourite dishes like gopalkala, and the people compete to break the pot by forming human pyramids amidst the cheering crowd. It's the most energy-packed and vibrant event associated with Janmashtami.
Traditional Recipes Made During Janmashtami
Talking about janmashtami, we can not exclude the delicious janmashtami special recipes. The traditional Janmashtami recipes are a combination of snacks, sweets, milk dishes, fruit mixes and fasting-friendly food. Here are a few of them.
1. Makhan Mishri
It's an offering made from butter or makhan and sugar crystals or mishri. The Makhan Mishri is particularly important since Krishna is fond of Makhan.
2. Gopalkala
Gopalkala is a humble traditional no-cook recipe made during Krisha Janmashtami. It's a simple dish made of yoghurt, poha (flattened rice), puffed rice, cucumber, pomegranates, pulses, spices and other fruits added according to availability and preferences. It is also the dish filled in the earthen pot during Dahi handi.
3. Shrikhand
This delicious dessert is made during Janmashtami, especially in Maharashtra and Gujarat. It's believed that srihand originated as a dish made by herdsmen for their travelling. It's made with yoghurt, dried fruits, nuts, and sweeteners.
4. Panchamrit
It's a traditional bhog made from 5 ingredients including milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and raw sugar. It is believed to have a divine origin and is even considered an elixir in epics.
5. Dhaniya Panjiri
Another traditional recipe made during Janmashtami. It's a dry mix of Coriander (Dhania) powder, makhana or fox nuts, desi ghee, bura sugar or Jaggery, grated coconut, makhana or fox nuts and other nuts like cashews and almonds.
6. Sabudana Khichdi
It's a comfort food, especially during fasting; the dish is made with soaked sabudana (tapioca pearls), peanuts, and mild spices.
7. Makhana Paag
It's a simple dish made from makhana or fox nuts or lotus seeds, ghee and sugar (bhoora) and coconut. The Makhana paag is also made as a part of chappan bhog.
8. Laddu
Various types of laddus, like besan ke laddu, boondi laddu, coconut laddu, and dry fruit laddu, are made as a part of the bhog. Interestingly, Krishnamangal of Krishnadas has a list of items cooked by the gopis and gopas of Brindavan for Krishna, and it includes laddus.
9. Aloo Puri
The special pooris made during gokulashtami are Singhare ki Puri, made from water chestnut flour; Bedmi puri, made from urad dal; whole wheat flour; Puri, made from buckwheat wheat flour, etc. The Aloo puri is made as a part of chappan bhog or as fast-friendly without onion and garlic.
10. Janmashtami Special Kheer
No Indian festival food is complete without kheer and janmashtami is no exception. The popular kheer prepared during Janmashtami includes sabudana kheer, makhana kheer, chawal ke kheer and the list goes on.
The list above is not exhaustive. There are many other dishes like mohanbhog, murukku, burfi, fruit chat, dry fruits, aval and banana mix, etc., which are specially made during lord Krisha Janmashtami.
You may be celebrating Janmashtami while staying abroad or in cities where you could not be part of community events like processions, temple visits etc. So, here are some ways to celebrate Janmashtami at home.
Ways to Celebrate Janmashtami at Home
Decorate your Home
Clean your home and decorate. Be creative with Janmashtami decoration using flowers, lights, balloons and rangoli and make it fun and engaging for kids, too.
Fasting and Performing Puja
you can observe fasting, night vigil, etc, till midnight. Perform puja and make offerings to Krishna. People place idols on decorated altars and sometimes make swings or cradles for lord Krishna.
Singing Bhajansm, Reading Stories and Involving Kids
Sing devotional songs with family members and read stories about Krishna. You can also dress up kids as Krishna or Radha to make it more engaging for kids.
Invite Friends and Share Janmashtami Special Dishes
You can invite friends and share traditional Janmashtami snacks, but if you don't have time to cook. Try buying healthy traditional Indian snacks and you can also watch janmashtami events online.
While indulging in festivities don't forget to follow mindful eating!
