Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm all over India. Colorful cultural programs all conducted all through the day, while in the midnight, aarti is performed and bhajans praising Lord Krishna are sung. A number of cultural programs are organized all through the day, to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. Small children are dressed in Lord Krishna and his playmate Radha's costumes, during the cultural programs. In addition to this, Raslila (dance drama) is conducted by various communities. The dance drama depicts some of the important phases of Shri Krishna, with special emphasis on the days spent by him in Gokul.
People indulge in making delicious recipes to savor on, after worshipping Lord Krishna. Sweets and desserts are the most preferred dishes, because Lord Krishna was known for his sweet tooth. This is the reason why most of the dishes prepared on Janmashtami are sweet. Moreover, many people observe a fast during the day, as a part of the celebrations. Certain diet is formulated for fasting, which is considered auspicious, when observed on the ceremonious occasion. Also known as Upavasa, fasting originated as a part of the offering that one could give to Lord Krishna, on his birthday - Krishnashtami. In the following lines, check out more information on Janmashtami fast.
Types Of Fast
The ardent followers of Lord Krishna celebrate Janmashtami by observing Nirjal fasts, which literally means starvation. They would not consume even a drop of water, all through the day of Janmashtami. The fast is broken only in the midnight, when aarti is performed and prasad are offered to the deity. It is believed that nirjal fasts would help them get closer to the Almighty.
Phalahar vrat is another type of fast observed on Krishna Janmashtami. This is somewhat lenient than the nirjal fast, because the person can consume milk and fruits during phalahar vrat. However, they refrain from cereals and other kinds of food stuff. The fast is broken in the midnight, after Janmashtami Puja. During both the types of Janmashtami fast, people pass their time by singing bhajans of Lord Krishna and chant mantra.
Food For Janmashtami Fast
Since Lord Krishna is particularly fond of milk, a variety of dishes using milk and its products are made during the fast. Sweets like Peda, Shrikhand, Kalakand, Vella Seedai, Neyyappam are prepared by the devotees, to offer to Lord Krishna. Sweet dishes including desserts (preferably kheer) are made at the time, when people observe fast. However, they would not consume the sweet dishes or any other food unless and until they have been offered to Lord Krishna. They would consume the mouthwatering delicacies only after breaking the fast, during the midnight of ashtami.