From Kheer To Pedas, 5 Delectable Sweet Dishes To Devour This Janmashtami

Famished from your Janmashtami fast? Here are some delectable snacks and dishes (all vegan) you can savour!

September 7 marks the second day of Janmashtami. One of the most auspicious festivals of India, Janmashtami (also known as Gokulashtami), is observed every year, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, one of the most pivotal deities in the Hindu pantheon. It is celebrated on Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha in Shravana Masa.

Like all festivals, Janmashtami is not complete without some lip-smacking food! Here are some delicious snacks you can break your Janmashtami fast with.

Since Lord Krishna is often referred to as ‘makhan chor’ (the butter thief) for his fondness for milk products, Janmashtami is often an occasion to indulge in dairy products. Many devotees break their fast with a bowl of kheer. Kheer is a delectable rice pudding that is prepared by cooking rice in hot milk. The dish is served with a generous helping of dry fruits, a dash of saffron, honey, and cardamom powder!

Sabudana is a food item prepared from tapioca roots. In many households, sabudana is lightly roasted to be served as pappad. Manu devotees also boil sabudana and then lightly fry it with pulses and vegetables to make a pot of fragrant khichdi. It is served with a helping of nuts, dried curry leaves, and Bombay Mix (chana chur).

Another staple dish in many Janmashtami celebrations, rabri is prepared by simmering milk until it thickens, and then garnishing it with fresh cardamom or cinnamon powder and fruits before serving.

One of the most popular sweet dishes of Kolkata, this delectable sweet is nothing short of divine. It is prepared by cooking chunks of cchana (cottage cheese) in a fragrant, saffron-tinged milk and rose water! It is served with a generous amount of dry fruits sprinkled at the top.

Pedas often form an important part of the prasad served at the end of the pooja. These square-shaped treats are made from condensed milk and flavoured with saffron or cardamom powder.