Gokulashtami/ Janmashtami (जन्माष्टमी) is a Hindu Festival celebrated to rejoice the birth of Lord Krishna . It is an annual festival and falls in the month of August - September as per Gregorian Calender and if we go by Hindu Almanac it falls in the month of Shravana or Bhadrapada (aadi or aavani as per Tamil calender) depending on when the Ashtami Thithi coincides with Rohini Star during the Krishna Paksha . Krishna paksha is the phase from Full Moon day to New Moon day (Waning period) .
Those following the Pancharathra Aagama shashthra emphasize more on the Rohini Nakshatra ,the birth star of Lord Krishna for celebration of Krishna Jayanthi . It is commonly called as Pancharathra Sri Jayanthi and in 2023,it falls on 7th September 2023 while the others will celebrate on 6th September.
**post updated with new recipes on 30th August 2023
Lord Krishna is considered to be the 8th avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna as we all know was very cheerful ,bubbly and naughty as a child and the image that comes to our mind is of baby Krishna with a handful of butter , pranking and playing around with Gopikas
There is no doubt that Krishna Bhagwan is everyone's favorite and hence his birth is celebrated with pomp,cheer and gaiety at homes as well as temples.
People at home decorate the idols of Krishna with flowers ,tulsi and fragrant garlands and also symbolically decorate a small cradle with an idol of baby Krishna to welcome his birth.
In south India ,we draw Rangoli outside our home and also draw small baby foot steps from the main entrance till the pooja stand inside as a mark of welcoming a little crawling Krishna into our homes .we call it as Krishnar Paadam in Tamil.
We prepare and offer many goodies that are Kaanha ji's favorites especially made out of milk,butter and ghee which were his eternal favorites. Offerings made from Aval/Poha/Beaten rice is a must as Aval is symbolic of prosperity and pure friendship or Saakhyam between Krishna and Sudama .
In Maharashtra and Gujarat Sabudana Vada ,Sabudana Chiwda , Faraali Pattice are some of the items made as part of Chappan bhog and offered ..chappan bhog is an elaborate offering of 56 items to the Lord .
Today in this post ,I am sharing links of sweets and savories which are made in most South Indian homes unfailingly every Krishna Janmashtami and offer it to the our dear Maakhan Chor .
Sweets
Navaneetham/Navneeth/Makkan Mishri
Ambalapuzha Paal Payasam (Milk Kheer)
Aval Payasam with coconut milk (Poha kheer - Vegan )
Aval Payasam with milk (poha kheer)
Savories
Uppu Seedai (small deep fried rice balls)
Thengol / Thenguzhal (Honey pipes)
Poha Chiwda / Aval Mixture (Beaten rice crispies )
There is no particular hard and fast rule as to what one needs to offer ,if you are pressed for time or circumstances prevent you from offering an elaborate spread ,you can just offer
Navaneetham/Makkan Mishri (Butter & sugar) and Gopalkaala/ Thayir Aval (Beaten rice and curd) along with Tulsi leaves . TULSI is very scared for Lord Krishna and he loves and accepts anything that is offered whole heartedly with pure devotion.
Any offering using Aval/Poha is considered very auspicious and special for Lord Krishna as his close friend Sudama/Kuchela offered him Aval when he met Lord Krishna after ages . It symbolizes a deep bond of love.
We Generally offer 5 varieties of fruits,curd ,buttermilk,plain milk, thamboolam (betel leaves , betel nuts) and Sukku Vellam (Ginger jaggery) without fail.
Lovely write up on the Krishna janmashtami festival. You have a lovely collection of prasadams too, both sweet and savoury.
ReplyDeleteLovely collection of recipes for Krishna Janmasthmi. Would love to try the seedai recipe sometime.
ReplyDeleteI loved reading through the various prasad for Krishna /Janmashtami A good collection indeed. Will try to make one of these soonest possible. It is always good to have a such a compilation of recipes.
ReplyDeleteWow these are Krishna Padam! I used to wonder. Loved your collection and explanation on how to celebrate Gokulasthmi.
ReplyDeleteThis is such an informative post. I loved reading it, didn’t know a lot.. also the recipe collection is just amazing. Will definitely try it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a collection of Krishna Janmashtami recipes you have Priya. There are some I'd love to try like Uppu Seedai and Gopalkala. Liked reading about the info on Janmashtami.
ReplyDeleteI am planning to invite myself to your place to munch on these bhakshanams for Sri Jayanthi this year.. great collection of recipes for the pandigai - Kalyani
ReplyDeleteThe bhakshanams were always the attractive part of Krishna jayanthi. Love your collection here, so elaborate.
ReplyDeleteThats one delish collection of neivedhiyam for Gokulashtami! Love the cute jhoola for laddu gopal! need to check that ambalapuzha milk payasam, heard a lot about it!
ReplyDeleteLovely write up on the way to celebrate Krishna Janmasthmi. I liked your collection of recipes and the cradle with Lord Krishna too.
ReplyDelete