Today, India is celebrating Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna, by decorating temples, singing bhajans and re-enacting Krishna’s playful childhood through dramas and cultural performances. Many devotees also observe day-long fasts, breaking them only after midnight with a special bhog thali prepared for Lord Krishna. From sweets to vrat-friendly dishes, the bhog thali offered to Krishna is filled with delicacies. Wondering which festive treats you simply can’t miss this Janmashtami? Here are seven sweets that are a must-have to complete your bhog.
1. Peda
No Janmashtami celebration feels complete without pedas. These sweets are made with khoya (mawa), ghee, sugar, and cardamom. Their soft, melt-in-the-mouth feel makes them an instant favourite. Often offered as prasad, pedas are filling yet mildly sweet, just right for devotees who break their fast with something light.
2. Charnamrit (Panchamrit)
Charnamrit, also called Panchamrit, is everyone’s favourite. Made with milk, curd, honey, ghee, and jaggery or sugar, this mixture is first used in rituals to bathe Krishna’s idol. And then, it is served as prasad among devotees. Charnamrit, which is sweet and creamy and garnished with tulsi leaves, is believed to bring purity and blessings to those who consume it.
3. Kheer
Kheer is one of those dishes that instantly makes a festival feel special. It’s made by slowly cooking rice in milk, sweetened with sugar and cardamom, and that final sprinkle of nuts and saffron makes it truly irresistible. Creamy and comforting, it’s a dish everyone looks forward to, and it always finds a place in Krishna’s bhog thali.
4. Makkhan mishri
When we think of Krishna, the image of him stealing butter as a child always comes to mind. Makkhan Mishri in his bhog thali makes the celebration feel more special. Freshly churned butter is mixed with rock sugar to make this simple dish. Its purity makes it one of the most symbolic offerings on Janmashtami.
5. Lauki barfi
Lauki, or bottle gourd, may not be the first thing you think of in a sweet, but it’s a must-have during Janmashtami. The grated lauki is gently cooked in milk and ghee, sweetened, and set into soft barfi squares, which are a must-have during Janmashtami celebrations.
6. Makhana barfi
Makhana (fox nuts) is a common fasting food, but when turned into a barfi, it becomes a Janmashtami delicacy that one should not miss, no matter what. Roasted and powdered makhana cooked with milk, ghee, and sugar gives a nutty, crunchy, sweet taste that’s both filling and healthy. Packed with protein and fibre, makhana barfi helps in keeping energy levels high during fasting.
7. Pumpkin seed barfi
Pumpkin seed barfi is made with pumpkin seeds, khoya, ghee, and jaggery. Rich and slightly nutty in taste, it is often offered in Janmashtami bhog thalis as one of the festive delicacies.
Janmashtami feels extra special with pedas, kheer, lauki barfi, and other festive treats offered to Lord Krishna.