--Article by Alka Mehta

The Melodious Music on the flute, the churning of sumptuous butter,

The happy grazing cows at the meadows, the peals and giggles of laughter,

The grandeur of a decorated home, the array of chhappan bhog,

The colour of festivity and tradition... close to our heart we hold!

Yes…it’s that time of the year again when we prepare to welcome the homecoming of a newborn, when our kitchen smells of traditional sweets and Savouries, where our house is decked with flowers and glitter, when celebration rings in new hope, peace and happiness...Janmashtami – joy forever.

Janmashtami or Gokulashtami is a grand festival celebrated all over India. It marks the celebration of birth of Lord Krishna, one of the ten avatars of Maha Vishnu.  Lord Krishna was born in Mathura.  It is one of the most vibrant festivals of India. This day is marked with celebration that rings in joy , happiness, spirituality, mischievous games and pranks and lots of delicious food! This year Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on the 18th of August. 

Janmashtami History

The birthday falls on the 8th day after Krishna paksha in the Bhadrapada month. It is “Aavani” as per the Tamil calendar. Lord Krishna was born as the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. When Krishna was born, his uncle King Kansa, who governed Mathura, sought to kill the children of his sister because a prophesy said that the couple's eighth son would bring about Kansa's demise.

Following the prophecy, Kansa put Devaki and Vasudeva in jail. Their first six children were all killed by him. But when their seventh child, Balram, was born, the foetus magically moved from Devaki's womb to Princess Rohini's. When they gave birth to their eighth child, Krishna, the entire palace fell asleep. Vasudeva saved the kid and took him to Nand Baba and Yashodha's home in Vrindavan. 

In exchange, Vasudeva brought a baby girl back to the palace and gave her to Kansa. She changed into Goddess Durga and warned the evil monarch of his impending destiny as he attempted to kill the baby. Krishna raised himself in Vrindavan in this manner before killing his uncle Kansa.

Countless tales of heroism, mischief, love and wisdom are attributed to the lord, which is why he is one of the most revered of all Hindu gods in India.

How Krishnashtami is celebrated?

Because Lord Krishna was born in the mid of night, the main festivities for Krishna Janmashtami begin at midnight. Lord Krishna's idols are cleaned, dressed in lovely garb, and then set in a crib at midnight.

India celebrates Krishna Janmashtami with devotional music, and afterwards, believers break their fast with food and treat. As a symbol of Krishna entering their houses, women leave little footprints outside of their doorways. Because Krishna spent his whole life in Mathura and Vrindavan, the Janmashtami celebrations there are particularly noteworthy.

On this day, the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita are performed at significant Krishna temples. Recitals of Bhagavad Gita and Bhagvata purana ring in people’s homes. Chanting of hymns and bhajans praising the lord transforms the aura of a home to a sacred temple.

On this holy festival of Janmashtami, lord Krishna is revered by the entire nation and this festival is gloriously celebrated with dance and devotion. A dance-drama event known as Raas Lila or Krishna Lila is held all across the world. Rasa Lila is a much-liked tradition in the Mathura region as well as in portions of Rajasthan and Gujarat, as well as in northeastern Indian states like Manipur and Assam.

In Northern parts of India traditional games like “Dahi-handi” is played where a human pyramid is made and one kid (Krishna) climbs up all of them to hit the handi (pot of yoghurt). 

Krishna's early years, when he played with his companions and stole curds, are predicted by this. He also goes by the name "Makhanchor" as a result.

In many homes people dress up little children as baby Krishna and treat them to yummy delicacies after making the offering to the god. Houses are decorated with little footprints of lord Krishna from the main door and a butter pot is kept in the puja room. These footprints lead to the butter pot as it is lord’s favourite food.

Guruvayoor temple in Kerala, Udipi Sri Krishna mathe temple, Ambalappuzha Sri Krishna temple in kerala, Balakrishna temple in Hampi, Rajagopalaswamy temple in Mannargudi, Tamil nadu, Jaggannatha temple, Dwarakadesh temple in Dwaraka and various other Iskcon temples stand as the testimony to the selfless devotion and valour of this great god.

Traditional Delicacies to Savour on Krishna Janmashtami

Janmashtami is that time of the year when we fill our plates with buttermilk, makkhan, and sweets in celebration of Krishna Janmashtami, throwing the calorie count out the window. It is said that Lord Krishna was born on this fortunate day. People observe the event by giving little Bal Gopal customary desserts and sweets to mark the day. 

Some followers of Lord Krishna keep a daylong fast, breaking it with food at midnight on the anniversary of Lord Krishna's birth. The preparation and offering of several delicious foods to Krishna. 

Panjiri, Kheer, Makhan Mishri, Gopalkala, Panchamrit, Rava Laddoo, Sabudana Khichdi, and Gulab Jamun are some of the traditional foods prepared during Krishna Janmashtami. Verkadalai Urundai, Sweet Seedai, and Seedai are the three most significant sweets items prepared on the occasion of Gokulashtmi. 

Sweets, Butter, Savouries and milk are the favourites of Lord Krishna. These are freshly prepared and offered as” Naivedhyam” to the god and then distributed to all as prasadams.

It is a tradition to prepare sweets which little kids love smeared with white butter, oodles of milk and rock sugar. The handis in the kitchen smell of lip smacking payasams, drooling kheer, crispy murrukkus , round seedai, sugar dipped Malpuas, sugar palm fritters or the talerbora. Relishing these dishes made with milk and sugar has a deep meaning because it is filled with a heap of nutrients and goodness of health. Bring lord krishna home with special sweets.

Buy Traditional Sweets from Sweet Karam Coffee

Sweet Karam Coffee, which counts over 80,000 loyal consumers, believes that health is happiness and happiness is homemade. We pass down our grandma’s old savoury recipes to the younger generations with our 90+ handmade products. Because of the love we get from our customers and the variety of home cooks, each of our goods has a traditional flavour that is reminiscent of your grandmother's cooking.

As this time of the year calls for Janmashtami sweets and celebrations everywhere around you. We offer a wide variety of sweets made with jaggery and guarantee purity by using organic ghee, butter, and oil. Therefore, treat your stomach with nutrient rich snacks this Janmashtami with Sweet Karam Coffee instead of letting your hunger growl.

Dry fruits are a must-have whether you're seeking for fasting snacks or dessert ideas for the bhog. We bring to you Makhana, DIY Kulfi packs and many more sweet items to make this Janmashtami fast special for you!

On Janmashtami just like the charisma of the most enigmatic and revered god, every child deserves ample nutrition, happy and secured upbringing to grow up to a healthy individual. So treat your little ones to these yummy traditional goodies from SweetKaramCoffee and revel in the glory of the god with good health and happiness.

May the melody of the flute and the divine delicacies from SweetKaramCoffee infuse good health, peace and happiness in your lives today and forever..

“Remember Health is happiness and Happiness is homemade”.