Sri Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Sri Krishna. He is considered to be the eighth avatar of Vishnu, one of the ruling deities in Hinduism.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Shravana. This year it falls on August 30th, 2021.
Table of Contents
Why do we celebrate Krishna Janmashtami?
Festivals in India are all about making life a celebration.
The festival of Sri Krishna Jayanti/Janmashtami /Gokulashtami is celebrated with great fun and gaiety all over the world by the Hindus owing to the fact that Sri Krishna was one of the most forceful human incarnations of Lord Vishnu, that one can relate to in everyday life.
This year the Sri Krishna Festival is celebrated on the 30th of August, 2021.

In all of Maha Vishnu’s Avatars, Sri Krishna avatar is the most colorful one.
Sri Krishna is depicted as a naughty, playful, flirty, fine statesman, warrior and eventually the wisest teacher there ever could be. His song the Bhagavad Gita, the holy book of the Hindus is the quintessence of his wisdom.
Krishna Janmashtami/Festival
In Hinduism, the birth of Lord Krishna ( Sri Krishna Janmashtami) is celebrated each year with great festivities. A lot of song, dance and naughty pranks surround this festival season as Sri Krishna is believed to have enjoyed and partaken in all such celebrations.
Adorable and mischievous as a kid, a happy cowherd boy who could charm the cattle by playing his flute, a lover of dance who danced through the night with the Gopikas (Rasa Leela), an eternal lover boy (RadhaKrishna), the protector of women ( Draupadi ‘s Vastraharan), a humble and loyal friend (Partha/Arjuna- sarathy/charioteer ), a philosopher and a teacher (the Bhagavad Gita) …….we celebrate him for his many personality traits, during this festival season.

Today, in my post I bring you authentic Poha recipes made in celebration of Sri Krishna.
Why do we make recipes with Poha on Gokulashtami ?
Poha/Flattened/Beaten Rice is believed to be a favorite food of Sri Krishna, find out why, in my post here .
Many recipes made with Poha are prepared on Gokulashtami day and shared with friends and family as part of the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna.
What is Poha ?
Do you want to know more about it ? Did you know that Poha had various health benefits? Find out all your answers to the queries you have on Poha, here and learn why it is a favorite item in every Indian breakfast menu and served regularly as an evening snack.

List of my Poha Recipes for Gokulashtami
One can make so many recipes with Poha, check out my collection of Poha recipes for Krishna Janmashtami, in the links below.
An easy ingredient to cook, if you are planning on making some special Janmashtami recipes, with Poha.

My list of Poha recipes
My published posts using Beaten Rice/Poha/Aval/Bajeel are listed below for your interest.
- What is Poha?
- Kanda Poha/Beaten rice with Onions & Potatoes
- Kothumali Aval Upma/Cilantro Poha
- Huli Avalakki/Tamarind Poha
- Aval Pidi Kolkattai/Beaten Rice Dumpling
- Sri Krishna Festival /Gokulashtami Recipes with Poha
The Bottom Line
Now that it is the Gokulashtami /Sri Krishna festival season, would you plan to try making some of these quick and easy poha recipe at home?
If you try any of my recipes, would love for you to snap a quick photo of your recipe and tag us #stirringmyspicysoul on your social media feeds to get the word around and encourage readers like you.
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Share this post with a #stirringmyspicysoul on your social media feeds and let your friends and family know.They can always subscribe to our weekly newsletters and regular updates by signing up here or by visiting our blog.
Food is tied so tightly to someone’s culture. You eat their food, you can’t help but learn other things as well!
So true. Thank you and I hope you are enjoying what you see here both about our culture & food 🙂
I’m loving learning about your culture! Thank you for all that you share.
Thank you. It’s my pleasure to share, so appreciate you letting me know you are enjoying it. To receive more such posts on a weekly basis right into your inbox, please consider subscribing to my blog. Would love to have you with us in our growing community of friends.
It is wonderful to celebrate your heritage with special food and celebrations.
Thank you. Totally agree.It adds to the joy of celebration.
Very neat information!
Thank you.
I read the title and said to myself “say what?” Thank you for teaching me about the celebration and foods. I love learning about other ways of living.
Thank you, so appreciate you sharing that with me. If you enjoy such posts please consider subscribing to my blog, would really love to have you join our growing community of friends here.Moreover, you will get weekly updates on the latest right into your inbox.
Interesting info on your culture!
Thank you, so appreciate your kind words.
Thank you for sharing your culture and traditions with so many! Such a beautiful thing.
Happy to share. Thank you, for your kind words.
I love how unique it is I have never tried it!
Thank you, rich in iron content & healthy too:)
Great post! Just looked at the date and saw Sri Krishna was today. Hope you have a wonderful celebration!
Thank you, for your kind words & wishes, so appreciate it.
Thanks for sharing the pictures of the food and your culture. I found it fascinating.
Thank you, that makes me so happy to hear you say that. It’s my pleasure to share & also learn new things from different cultures around the world, how else would we know there are so much richness in each others.
Thank you Maya! So delicious looking, and I always love your Blogs.
Hoping you are well.
Karen
Thank you, Karen, so appreciate your kind word and thoughtfulness.Hope you had a lovely break , so glad you are back 🙂
Interesting read, taught me a lot!
Thank you, my pleasure 🙂
i write this note to you on the auspicious day of Janmashtami! thank you for sharing about this festival & of course, the wonderful food 🙂
Thank you, how kind of you to wish me on Janmashtami, it means a lot to me. Many blessings to you & your family. Always glad to share my culture & food, so grateful to you for letting know it is appreciated 🙂
Hi Maya!
Ai enjoyed this post. In graduate school, one of my best friends, Jyoti, was from India, and we used to cook together every week; it was so much fun. When she moved away, she left all of her spices with me. I still make some of the recipes she taught me.
This was like a blast from the past! Thanks!
Thank you, Suz, how sweet of you to share you story.I loved hearing about your friend and your intro to Indian food. Do try out these Poha recipes sometime now that you have the spices handy. They are quick & easy ones & delightfully delicious.
These look delicious! Your photos are beautiful!
Thank you, so appreciate your kind words.
Interesting history on this holiday that was heretofore unknown to me.
Thank you, it’s my pride & joy to share my culture in which food & festivals are intertwined in a celebration of life. Enjoy!