Janmashtami is a beautiful festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered and playful Hindu gods. It typically occurs in August or September, and homes and temples are decorated for Krishna. Fasting, food, and prayer all blend together to make Janmashtami a special and memorable day for everyone.
Why Do People Fast On Janmashtami?
The birth of lord Krishna is just about celebrating with delicious food. In fact, the most important part of this festival is fasting. Midnight is believed to be the time of Krishna’s birth, and that’s when most people break their fast. A lot of devotees follow a strict fast and only consume water or milk. Others, however, follow a partial fast, eating specific fruits, nuts, or grains that are appropriate for fasting.
When the bhog is offered to Krishna following the midnight puja, the devotees can finally break their fast. While common grains, onions, garlic, and strong spices are avoided during fasting, there are still many delicious dishes you can eat.
- Sabudana Khichdi: Commonly enjoyed as a breakfast dish, it is light, filling, and nourishing. Made with tapioca pearls, peanuts, and mild spices, this is the perfect vrat dish for Janmashtami.
- Aloo Tamatar Ki Sabzi: Potatoes are cooked in a tomato-based gravy without any onions or garlic and served with singhara atta rotis.
- Vrat Ke Chawal: This vrat-friendly dish is made with milk, jaggery, and samak rice (barnyard millet).
- Yoghurt Bowl With Fruits: Assemble your favourite fresh fruits with some yoghurt in a bowl, sprinkle some sugar, and your refreshing fasting meal is ready.
Delicious Bhog Recipes
Bhog is the food offered to Lord Krishna during puja or after fasting. When the food is offered to the god, it becomes prasadam. No matter how simple or complex, Janmashtami bhog always has a special meaning. It usually includes sweets, milk-based dishes, fruits, and grains that Krishna would have loved.
- Kesar Peda: This rich, melt-in-the-mouth sweet is made from khoya, saffron, and cardamom. Perfect for offering to Krishna; it’s fragrant, indulgent, and loved during the festival.
- Sabudana Kheer: It is a creamy pudding made with tapioca pearls, milk, sugar, and saffron. Smooth, sweet, and light, this kheer is ideal for bhog or after a fast.
- Paneer Shrikhand: It is a creamy dessert made from hung curd, sugar, and saffron, garnished with nuts. Its soft, sweet texture and festive aroma make it a favourite for bhog.
This Janmashtami, whether you’re fasting, preparing bhog, or simply enjoying the stories of Krishna, it’s a day of devotion, flavour, and togetherness.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/ziprashantzi and Canva/subodhsathe
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