The festival of Krishna Janmashtami, which falls on the eighth day or the Ashtami of the holy month of Shravana, marking the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is observed with much spiritual fervour every year.
While homes are decked up with lights and streamers, scores of devotees' host dance-drama enactments of the life of Lord Krishna that include devotional singing through the night, fasting, a night vigil and setting up an elaborate feast. With Krishna jhula and Dahi handi (yogurt pot) being the centre of attraction during the festival, the preparation of elaborate, mouth-watering feast is a major part that increases the grandeur of the festival.
This year the festival itself fell on Wednesday but the festivities extend beyond that one day and here are some of the signature munch-on tasty treats that are prepared, keeping in mind Lord Krishna's love for milk, and milk products.
It is a well-known fact that the delicious freshly churned butter is Lord Krishna's favourite. So, what is Janmashtami without offering some white butter to the “Maakhan Chor” (Butter thief)? Some fresh homemade butter/maakhan, misri or sugar is considered the best to offer to the lord.
Be it rawa laddoo made with roasted rawa, dry fruits, grated coconut or paneer malai laddoo made with milk, paneer (cottage cheese) and lots of sugar and ghee - these healthy and nutritious sweet delicacies are some of the must-haves on the festive occasion.