Meena's Taste Mantra

Gokulashtami | Krishna Janmashtami

Ashtami , the eighth day of Krishna Paksha | dark fortnight, of Bhadrapad Hindu month, is celebrated as Lord Krishna's birthday. Lord Krishna is the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu.

All over the world this day is celebrated in grandeur. In India this day is very festive with pujas in the evening or midnight welcoming Lord Krishna. People observe fast till puja on this day. Many naivedhyam | prasad is made with love keeping in mind that Milk and Milk Products are Lord Krishna's favourite. It is also believed that when Lord Krishna visited his friend Sudama's home, all that Sudama had to offer was little bit of Aval | Poha | Flattened Rice and some Vellam | Gur | Jaggery. Lord Krishna was touched by this hospitality. Hence various forms of Aval in the sweet and savoury form is made by many.

At home preparation for Gokulashtami begins a couple of days in advance. Amma will be busy preparing different types of naivedhyams both in the Sweet and Savoury form. As a child I used to love Gokulashtami as we used to relish all homemade goodies that Amma used to make with love and affection. Amma will first start off preparing Homemade Rice Flour and Homemade Urad Dal Flour. Thereafter it would be Kai Murukku, Thattai and Uppu Seedai. These are a must in the savouries. Sometimes even Thenkuzhal, Wheat Chakli, Sweet Potato String Hoppers and many more varieties depending upon her mood! On the morning of Krishna Jayanthi Amma will for sure make Sweet Aval, Vella Seedai and Pal Payasam. Sometimes there will be additional offering of either of the following - Rava Ladoo, RaMaa Ladoo, Thinai Urrundai, Aval Ladoo, Sabudana Payasam, Aval Kesari, Semiya Payasam, Aval Payasam.

Fresh Homemade Butter is a must as naivedhyam and this Amma will churn up on the puja morning!

By evening, we will draw Kolam outside our residence door and make tiny foot print like images right from the doorway leading towards the Puja room. This is symbolic of Baby Krishna running into our homes and thus into our lives with the blessing of abundance. Amma will then perfoem puja and we will sing aarti songs. Then naivedhyam is offered to Lord Krishna along with some seasonal fruits. Then we share the prasad with family and friends. Finally time to sink into the delights that Amma has prepared!

About C R Meena

(c) 2014 - 2016, Meena's Taste Mantra is the result of my ardent desire to share my recipes, with all who appreciate and celebrate food. These recipes are as a result of 60 years of cooking experience, influenced by tradition and exposure to various concepts, new recipes/ingredients and a passion for cooking - adapting to healthier alternatives.