5 Special Sweets for Janmashtami
Festivals are an integral part of the Indian culture. Our country is often referred as the ‘land of festivals’. The festive season is beginning here with Janmashtami around the corner. This festival is celebrated in the entire country with much pomp and show. This year, it would be celebrated on the 23rd August, .i.e. tomorrow. The day marks the birth of Lord Krishna (eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu). Milk, Butter and curd were the favorites of Lord Krishna and are offered to the deity on this auspicious day.
In India, no festival is celebrated without the lip smacking desserts. Traditionally, there is a concept of chappan bhog or 56 dishes are prepared and offered to Lord Krishna.
Out of the endless options of sweets that can be made on the occasion of Lord Krishna’s birthday, we bring to you the five most popular sweets that you can try your hands at your home on this Janmashtami.
- Basundi
Basundi is a very simple and delicious dessert. It can be easily made at home. On the day of Janmashtami, this dessert is offered to Lord Krishna during the midnight celebrations of his birth. This dessert is made of milk, almonds, lemon juice, sugar, saffron and green cardamom powder. Some people prefer to eat Basundi with poori.
- Rabri
It is a popular sweet of North India made from milk. It is very easy to make. All that you have to do is, take the desired quantity of good quality of full cream milk, add the desired quantity of sugar to it and keep on boiling it on low gas flame for hours, the creamy and thick residue left is Rabri. Kesar strings or saffron can be added to it to enhance the taste. It can be garnished with dry fruits. It is best served chilled.
- Peda
Peda is one of the most famous sweets that we associate with the festival of Janmashtami. The tastiest pedas of the country are made in the town of Vrindavan. Vrindavan is a holy place for Hindus and this is the place where Lord Krishna spent most of his childhood. Peda is made from milk, condensed milk, ghee, sugar, saffron, green cardamom powder and dry fruits.
- Phirni
Phirni is the highlight of any festival in India be it Diwali, Karwa Chauth or Janmashtami. It is made from milk, broken rice, sugar, saffron, green cardamom powder and dry fruits. It is served in the shikoras or earthen bowls. It is best eaten when chilled. It is one of the most popular desserts of North India.
- Mishti Doi
Mishti Doi is one of the most popular desserts in West Bengal and Odisha. It is also being liked by the people from other parts of the country. It is fermented sweet yogurt or sweet curd. As Lord Krishna liked yogurt, so, this fact makes Mishti Doi, a must have for Janmashtami. It is made from milk, jaggery, yogurt and dry fruits. Traditionally, it is served chilled in earthen pots or kulhads.
