Home to numerous religious and cultural celebrations, fervency and festivity is analogous to Indian culture. Every festival is celebrated across each state in all solemnity and zeal. On the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight of Bhado month (August by the western calendar), arrives Janmashtami, also known as Sri Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami.
On this day, as we relive the birthtime of Lord Krishna, one of the most widely revered of all Indian divinities, there are several legendary stories about his birth. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna, the eighth human incarnation of Lord Maha Vishnu was born on this day to end the rule of His maternal uncle Kansa. To commemorate the arrival of young Krishna (also called Bal Gopal) into this planet, celebration of Janmashtami takes place during midnight since Lord Krishna was born on the wee hours of stormy night.
Devotional songs, several temple decorations, fasting and offering prasad, all is done to beautifully describe the life journey of Krishna. Though Janmashtami is celebrated in Punjab, UP, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, indeed gloriously across the country, the temples of Mathura and Vrindavan witness the most extravagant celebrations. Devotees perform ‘Raslila,’ a dance form, to recreate incidents from Krishna's childhood days. At midnight, a minuscule idol of an infant Krishna is placed in a cradle.
What Makes Janmashtami Special?
Among many reasons, a beautiful one for celebrating this festival is letting people come together, bringing in a harmonious vibe. Who doesn't know that food and festivity in India go hand in hand? What can be more wholesome than sumptuous delicacy which can unite people together on an auspicious day? Janmashtami and food share a unique bond as we all know Krishna’s love for milk and butter. On this occasion, a day-long fast is observed and a special ‘Maakhan Mishri bhog,’ considered to be Lord Krishna’s favourite is made with fresh homemade butter and sugar. Few nutritious ingredients such as dry fruits, buckwheat, amaranth, and foxnuts can be consumed by the ones who are fasting. Not only do they keep the gut at ease after a full day of fasting, but also provide optimum fasting health benefits.
Doesn’t the overall vibe of the song, dance, prayers, and nutritious food sound soulful and appetizing? We bet it does! Let yourself immerse into the ecstasy of this fervent festival and relish these signatures Janmashtami recipes:
Dhaniya Pede
Ingredients:
1 cup coriander powder
1 cup grated coconut
1 cup milk powder
4 tbsp powdered sugar
5 cardamoms
A handful of chironji seeds (Buchanania Lanzan)
10 cashews
10 almonds
1 cup milk
1 tbsp clarified butter/ghee
Method
In a pan roast grated coconut for 2 minutes
Once it turns slightly golden brown, shift it into another vessel and let it cool
Roast cashews and almonds in the same pan in clarified ghee
In the leftover ghee, roast coriander powder
Grind all the ingredients in a blender
In another pan add liquid milk and the milk powder into the ground mixture
Cook well until it becomes a dry fine dough
Pour the mixture in it on a plate and make pedas
Decorate each peda with two or three chironji seeds
Let them sit for some time and then serve
Nutrition
This signature Janmashtami recipe is made of coriander which is rich in immune-boosting antioxidants that fight infections and boost gut health. Dry fruits are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals and high in phenolic antioxidants thus boasting numerous health benefits.
Makhana Paag
Ingredients:
1 cup fox seeds/makhana
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp powdered black pepper
1 cup grated coconut
1/2 tsp green cardamom
3 tablespoon ghee
Black pepper to taste
Method:
Heat ghee in a pan. Add lotus seeds/makhana on low-medium flame till they turn golden in colour
Keep tossing to prevent them from burning
Crush the makhana or grind them in a blender. It should be a coarse mixture
Roast the coconut in the remaining ghee in another pan. Add grated coconut and roast it for a few minutes
Bring the sugar to a boil in a pot and let the sugar dissolve completely
Let it simmer until the mixture thickens just a bit
Add crushed makhana, roasted coconut, green cardamom, and black pepper. Let the mixture cool down for 5 minutes
Now grease a steel plate and pour the mixture into it
Spread evenly with barfi-like thickens and let it set for about half an hour
Now cut into barfis and serve them
Nutrition
Makhana paag is a special dish made on the eve of Janmashtami that uses lotus seeds, milk, ghee, and powdered sugar for its preparation. Makhana paag is made of foxnuts which are rich in magnesium and potassium and other essential nutrients. Coconut powder contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties and keeps the heart in good health.
Netmeds.com Wishes All Its Customers A Happy Sri Krishna Janmashtami
