Janmashtami and panjiri

Spices for Janmashtami and panjiri

Krishna is said to have been born at midnight, so the feasting follows a day of fasting. Panjiri, a crumbly mix of whole wheat flour roasted in ghee with sugar, dry fruit and ground cardamom, is a traditional offering, as is sweet makhan mishri and coconut ladoo scented with the same spice. In some regions the fast is broken with dishes made without grains, seasoned with rock salt, cumin and black pepper. In Mathura and Vrindavan, sweets and milk preparations are made in huge quantities.

The spices

CardamomThe usual perfume for panjiri and coconut sweets.CuminSeasons the fasting dishes taken before midnight.