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The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated with great pomp throughout the country as the birth anniversary of Lord Shri Krishna. On this day, Laddu Gopal is specially decorated in homes and various types of Satvik offerings are offered to him. From Makhan-Mishri to Dhaniya Panjiri, many traditional dishes are a part of the Janmashtami offering. If you want to make something special for Laddu Gopal this Janmashtami, then you can try these four traditional recipes suggested by celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor. These include Makhana Kheer, Makhan-Mishri, Panchamrit and Coriander Panjiri.

1. Makhana Kheer

Makhana Kheer is delicious and a traditional option for Janmashtami indulgence. Not much material is required to make it.

Material

• 1 cup makhana
• 1 liter milk
• 2 tbsp desi ghee
• half cup sugar
• Half teaspoon green cardamom powder
• 6-7 saffron threads
• chopped pistachios for garnish

Method of preparation

First of all, boil milk in a deep vessel and cook it until the milk reduces to almost half. On the other side, heat ghee in the pan and fry the makhana until it becomes slightly crisp.

Now add roasted makhana in reduced milk. Add sugar, cardamom powder and saffron in it and cook well. After the sugar dissolves, garnish the kheer with pistachios.

2. Butter and sugar candy

It is hardly possible that when we talk about offering food to Lord Krishna, the name of butter and sugar candy does not come up. It can be prepared very easily at home.

Material

• half cup ghee
• 2 tbsp crushed sugar candy
• 8-10 saffron threads
• chopped pistachios

Method of preparation

Take ghee in a plate and add some ice cubes to it and beat it well with hands. When the ghee becomes white and light, remove excess water.

Now add crushed sugar candy to it and mix. Prepare for enjoyment by adding saffron and chopped pistachios on top.

3. Panchamrit

Panchamrit is considered to have special importance in the worship of Janmashtami. It is prepared from ingredients like milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar.

Material

• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 4 tbsp sugar
• 8 tbsp curd
• 16 tbsp milk
• 1 basil leaf

Method of preparation

Add honey, ghee, sugar, curd and milk in a clean vessel. Mix everything well. After this, place basil leaves on top.

Panchamrit can be offered as bhog.

4. Coriander Panjiri

Coriander Panjiri also has a special place in the offerings of Janmashtami. In Sanjeev Kapoor's recipe, dry fruits, makhana and dry coconut are added along with coriander, which makes its taste even more special.

Material

• ¾ cup whole coriander
• 3 tbsp + 1 tsp desi ghee
• 3-4 tbsp chopped almonds
• 3-4 tbsp chopped cashews
• 2 tbsp melon seeds
• 2 tbsp chironji
• half cup broken makhanas
• ½ cup grated dry coconut
• half cup powdered sugar
• Half teaspoon green cardamom powder

Method of preparation

First of all, lightly fry the whole coriander without ghee for 2-3 minutes and let it cool.

Now add 2 tablespoons of ghee in the pan and fry almonds, cashews, melon seeds and chironji till they turn golden. Take them out and keep them aside.

Add 1 tablespoon ghee in the same pan and fry the makhana on medium flame for 2-3 minutes. After this, lightly fry the dry coconut.

Put the cooled coriander in the mixer and grind it finely. Now fry coriander powder in the remaining ghee for about 1-2 minutes.

Mix all the roasted ingredients in a large bowl. Add powdered sugar and cardamom powder to it and mix well. Offer prepared coriander panjiri as bhog.

Keep these things in mind while preparing bhog

While preparing Bhog for Laddu Gopal, take special care of cleanliness. The ingredients for offering should be fresh and use sattvik ingredients as per your family or religious tradition.

After offering the food, it can be distributed among family members and other devotees as Prasad. The most important thing in Janmashtami is not considered to be the quantity or grandeur of the food, but the feeling of reverence and devotion.