As Krishna Janmashtami approaches, it’s time to prepare a special offering for Lord Krishna. Discover 10 delightful bhog items that hold significance for this auspicious occasion.
Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami, marks the annual celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth. This vibrant festival falls on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana or Bhadrapad. In the year 2023, Krishna Janmashtami is being observed on both September 6 and September 7, as per the drikpanchang. According to tradition, Lord Krishna was born under the Rohini Nakshatra. The auspicious Ashtami Tithi will commence at 15:37 pm on September 6, 2023, and conclude at 4:14 pm on September 7.
As Krishna Janmashtami approaches, devotees engage in various rituals and festivities to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth. Many opt to fast, read the Bhagavad Gita, organize cultural events, enact scenes from Krishna’s life through songs and dances, and abstain from food until midnight, the time of his birth. Among the significant customs is the offering of 56 bhog items to Lord Krishna, particularly those made from milk, which is his favorite.
Here are 10 bhog items that you can consider offering to Lord Krishna on this auspicious day:
1. **Dhaniya Panjiri:** A delightful preparation involving lightly roasted and powdered coriander seeds mixed with ghee, dry fruits, sugar, cardamom powder, and elaichi.
2. **Makhan Mishri:** A simple blend of fresh white butter with mishri (rock sugar) and optionally mint leaves for a refreshing twist.
3. **Peda:** A sweet treat made by simmering khoya (milk solids) with powdered sugar, infused with elaichi and kesar, and shaped into pedas adorned with chopped dry fruits.
4. **Mohan Bhog:** A creamy dish prepared by roasting suji (semolina), adding milk, sugar, cardamom, saffron, and nuts, and cooking till it thickens.
5. **Ghewar:** A delectable dessert created by frying a besan (chickpea flour) batter into a disc shape, soaking it in sugar syrup, and garnishing it with saffron, nuts, and spices.
6. **Panchamrut:** A concoction of equal parts of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar, blended together to create a creamy mixture.
7. **Boondi Laddoo:** Small droplets of besan batter are deep-fried and soaked in sugar syrup before being combined with nuts, cardamom, and ghee, then shaped into laddoos.
8. **Makhana Paag:** Roasted makhana (fox nuts) is coated with sugar syrup, flavoured with cardamom, and broken into pieces, resulting in a crunchy delight.
9. **Jalebi:** Fermented all-purpose flour batter is deep-fried into spirals and soaked in sugar syrup, offering a sweet and tangy treat.
10. **Rasgulla:** Chenna (curdled milk) balls are cooked in sugar syrup to create spongy, syrup-soaked delights.
These offerings are made with love and devotion to honor Lord Krishna’s birth and his fondness for these delicacies.