Krishna Janmashtami, the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth, is incomplete without the indulgence of dahi (yogurt). During this auspicious occasion, devotees prepare sweet yogurt-based dishes like shrikhand and Gopal kala.
These delicacies are offered to Lord Krishna as bhog (an offering) and later shared as prasad (blessed food) among devotees. The significance of yogurt in Krishna Janmashtami stems from the belief that Lord Krishna loved dahi as a child. Make this celebration extra special by making delicious dahi treats using Fresh Nova dairy. Check out easy recipes that you can easily make at home with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow recipe procedures.
The Significance of Dahi in Krishna Janmashtami
Dahi, or yogurt, holds a special place in Krishna Janmashtami celebrations. It is believed to be Lord Krishna’s favourite food. Offering dahi to the deity is considered auspicious and brings blessings of prosperity and happiness. The act of offering dahi during Krishna Janmashtami is a way to seek his blessings for a blissful and fulfilling life. Its creamy texture and cooling properties make it a refreshing treat during the festive celebrations.
During Krishna Janmashtami, devotees also perform the ritual of breaking a handi (clay pot) filled with dahi as a representation of Lord Krishna’s childhood mischief of stealing butter. This tradition adds an element of fun and excitement to the celebrations, creating a positive vibe for all devotees.
The breaking of the handi symbolizes the victory of good over evil and reminds devotees of the playful nature of Lord Krishna. Overall, celebrating Krishna Janmashtami with dahi and the handi ritual is a joyful way to honour and connect with the divine spirit of Lord Krishna.
Delicious Dahi Recipes for Krishna Janmashtami
Dahi, or yogurt, is a quintessential ingredient in Indian cuisine, especially during festive occasions like Krishna Janmashtami. Its cooling properties and versatility make it a perfect base for a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. Let’s explore some delectable dahi recipes to enhance your Krishna Janmashtami celebrations.
1. Dahi Poha (Gopalkala)
Dahi Poha is a light, refreshing, and nutrient-rich dish. Also known as Gopal Kala, it’s a staple in many traditions during festive occasions like Krishna Janmashtami. This simple yet delicious recipe combines the goodness of yogurt with the crunchy texture of poha (flattened rice) and the flavorful touch of tempering.
Ingredients:
- Poha (flattened rice)
- Curd
- Cucumber, grated
- Coconut, grated
- Green chillies, finely chopped
- Mustard seeds
- Cumin seeds
- Curry leaves
- Asafoetida
- Coriander leaves, chopped
- Lemon juice
Instructions:
- Soak the poha: Rinse the poha under cold water and soak for 5-7 minutes. Drain thoroughly.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the soaked poha, curd, grated cucumber, and coconut.
- Prepare the tempering: Heat oil in a small pan. Add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and curry leaves. Once the seeds splutter, add asafoetida and green chillies.
- Assemble the dish: Pour the tempering over the poha mixture. Stir gently to combine.
- Garnish: Sprinkle with chopped coriander leaves and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the top. Serve immediately.
Shrikhand
Shrikhand is a rich and creamy Indian dessert made from curd. It’s a popular choice for festive occasions like Krishna Janmashtami. The curd is strained to remove excess whey, and then mixed with sugar, saffron, cardamom, and nuts to create a creamy treat. It is typically served chilled and garnished with more nuts or dried fruits for added texture and flavour.
Ingredients:
- 1-liter thick yogurt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar (adjust to taste)
- A few saffron strands
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
- Chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds, cashews) for garnish
Instructions:
- Hang the yogurt: Line a large sieve with a muslin cloth. Pour the yogurt into the cloth and tie it up. Let it hang for 3-4 hours to drain the whey. This will result in thick, creamy curd.
- Prepare the saffron: Soak the saffron strands in a tablespoon of warm milk for about 15 minutes to release their colour and flavour.
- Combine ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk the curd until smooth. Add powdered sugar and cardamom powder and mix well. Stir in the saffron milk.
- Chill and serve: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the flavours to blend. Garnish with chopped nuts before serving.
Panchamrit
Panchamrit is considered a holy concoction in Hinduism. This mixture is often used in religious ceremonies and offerings to deities. It is made by mixing five ingredients: milk, yogurt, honey, sugar, and ghee. The term “Panchamrit” translates to “five nectars” in Sanskrit. Panchamrit is thought to bring blessings and good fortune to those who consume it during religious rituals.
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Dahi
- Honey
- Ghee
- Sugar
- Tulsi leaves
- Saffron
Method:
- Add ingredients: Begin by adding sugar, followed by honey, dahi, ghee, and finally milk in a silver vessel.
- Mix well: Whisk the mixture thoroughly until all ingredients are combined smoothly.
- Add optional ingredients: Add tulsi leaves or saffron for enhanced flavour and aroma.
Makhan Mishri
Makhan Mishri is an essential sweet treat closely associated with the playful side of Lord Krishna. This simple yet divine combination features fresh, creamy butter blended with coarse rock sugar, known as mishri. Its purity and simplicity make it a beloved offering during Krishna Janmashtami celebrations. This tasty sweet represents the essence of Krishna’s childhood innocence and is loved for its rich, buttery flavour and satisfying crunch of mishri crystals.
Ingredients:
- Fresh Butter (makhan)
- Mishri (rock sugar), coarsely ground
Instructions:
- Chill the butter: Place the fresh butter in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to solidify it slightly.
- Grind the mishri: Coarsely grind the mishri using a mortar and pestle or a grinder.
- Combine: Take the chilled butter in a bowl and gently mix in the coarsely ground mishri.
- Serve: Serve the Makhan Mishri immediately or store it in a refrigerator for later use.
Conclusion
Krishna Janmashtami is a festive occasion filled with devotion and delicious treats. Elevate your spiritual offerings with Nova Dahi, it makes a perfect base for a range of prasad delights. Whether you’re making Gopal Kala or Makhan Mishri, it will enhance the flavour and richness of your offerings on this special day. Make this Krishna Janmashtami a memorable one with the goodness of Nova Dahi in your prasad and sweet treat preparations.