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Easy Satvik Cooking: 5 Simple Janmashtami Fast Recipes for 2025

Shubhangi Dubey
August 6th, 2025
15
7 Mins

Janmashtami is the joyous celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, lovingly called Kanhaji.

As one of the main Hindu festivals, Janmashtami is a festival filled with devotion, music, and satvik recipes for vrat.

This year, Krishna Janmashtami is falling on 16 August, 2025, on the Astmi tithi of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada.

Along with beautiful decoration for welcoming little Krishna, the kitchens will brim with the aroma of satvik recipes for Janmashtami vrat.

For many devotees of Shri Krishna, Janmashtami isn’t just about abstaining from certain foods but eating pure, satvik foods that are nourishing and permissible during the vrat.

In this blog, we have made a list of 5 Simple Janmashtami vrat recipes that are satvik and easy to make.

What to Eat for Janmashtami Fasting -

In Hinduism, only certain grains, vegetables, and spices are used. This list varies according to every family’s specific traditions, but these are the main grains, vegetables, and spices that are used during fasting.

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  1. Flours - Kuttu or buckwheat flour, rajgira or amaranth flour, singhara or water chestnut flour, sama chawal or Barnyard millet, Sabudana or tapioca pearls, and arrowroot flour.

  2. Spices - Sendha namak or rock salt, Anchor or dry mango powder, kali mirch or black pepper powder, jeera powder or cumin seeds, ajwain or carom seeds, elaichi or cardamom, and laung or cloves.

  3. Fruits or Vegetables - Aloo or potato, arbi or colocasia, Sweet potato or shakarkand, Yam or jimikand, Raw banana, lauki or bottle gourd, kaddu or yellow pumpkin, kheera or Cucumber, nimbu or lemon, hari mirch or green chilli, adrak or ginger, bathua ki bhaaji, and Green coriander.

  4. Nuts - All the dry fruits and nuts like cashew, phool makhana, almonds, pistachio, chiroli, raisins, coconut, walnut, peanuts, pine nuts, prunes, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.

  5. Fruits - All the fruits, raw or ripe, sweet or sour, are allowed to be used during Janmashtami vrat.

  6. Dairy Products - Milk, Yogurt, Khoya, paneer, cream, malai, butter, ghee, and lassi.

  7. Sweets - All the sweets are made purely with milk, khoya, or paneer, or nuts can be consumed.

  8. Cooking Medium - Ghee, butter, or any cooking oil can be used, but peanut and sunflower oil are used during fasting.

Here are some satvik recipes for Janashtami 2025 you can try:

Sabudana Khichdi Recipe -

Sabudana Khichdi is a light, nutritious, perfect fasting recipe for Janmashtami.

This Maharashtrian favorite is a must-have during vrat or fasting in India. We use organic sabudana here for extra nutrition and taste.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • 1 cup sabudana (sago/tapioca pearls)
  • 2 medium potatoes, boiled and cubed
  • ½ cup roasted peanuts, coarsely ground
  • 1–2 green chilies, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tbsp ghee or peanut oil
  • Rock salt (sendha namak) to taste
  • Fresh coriander, chopped (optional)
  • Juice of ½ lemon
  • Grated coconut (optional, for garnish)

How to make Sabudana Khichdi for Janmashtami:

  1. Wash organic sabudana thoroughly and soak it in just enough water to cover it for 5–6 hours or overnight. When pressed, it should be soft and non-sticky.
  2. Mix the soaked sabudana with crushed roasted peanuts and salt, and let this rest.
  3. In an iron kadhai, heat some ghee, add cumin seeds, and let them splutter. Add Chilies & Potatoes and sauté with green chilies for a few seconds, then add cubed potatoes.
  4. Cook for 2–3 minutes until lightly golden, and add the sabudana mixture. Stir this gently until the tapioca pearls turn translucent.
  5. Avoid overcooking to prevent stickiness. Turn off the heat, squeeze in lemon juice, and garnish with coriander and coconut if using.

How to make Sabudana Khichdi for Janmashtami:

  • When you soak the sabudana, drain any excess water to avoid them sticking when cooking.
  • If you use peanuts, roast them to keep your sabudana separated and flavourful.
  • Use a wide pan: Ensures even cooking and prevents clumping.

Sama Chawal Khichdi -

Sama chawal or barnyard millet is a wholesome, fiber-rich cereal that is light on your stomach during fasting.

This Krishna Janmashtami vrat recipe makes you feel full and keeps you energized for the midnight Krishna aarti.

Ingredients (Serves 2)

  • ½ cup sama ke chawal (barnyard millet)
  • 1 medium potato, cubed
  • 1–2 green chilies, chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tbsp ghee or peanut oil
  • 2 cups water
  • Rock salt (sendha namak) to taste
  • Fresh coriander, chopped (optional)
  • Grated coconut (optional, for garnish)

How to Make Sama Chawal Khichdi:

  1. Wash the sama rice 2–3 times and drain it well.
  2. In a pan or a kadhai, heat pure desi ghee, add cumin seeds, and let them crackle.
  3. Add chilli and potatoes and sauté them for 2-3 minutes till they are of a mushy texture.
  4. Now add sama rice, 2 cups water, rock salt, stir them well, and add a little more ghee for moisture.
  5. Cook the Khichdi on low heat for 1 or 2 whistles or till the grains are soft.
  6. Once cooked, garnish with freshly chopped coriander and serve warm with curd.

Tips for perfect sama chawal khichdi:

  • With a perfect water ratio, you can make fluffier or porridge-like khichdi, whatever you prefer. Follow this rule: Use 1:4 for a soft, porridge-like khichdi, 1:3 for a grainy texture.
  • Add vegetables (permitted in your family fasting) for more nutrition.

Vrat ke Aloo aur Rajgira ki Puri -

For Krishna Janmashtami fasting, vrat ke aloo with rajgira ki puri are one of the most comforting foods.

Mildly spiced, satvik vrat ke aloo with rajgira (amaranth) ki puri makes a comforting and utterly satisfying phalahar meal.

This combination is often served after offering bhog to Lord Krishna, as it embodies both simplicity and celebration.

Ingredients

For Vrat ke Aloo:

  • 3–4 medium potatoes, boiled & cubed
  • 1–2 green chilies, chopped
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tbsp ghee or peanut oil
  • 1½ cups water
  • Rock salt (sendha namak) to taste
  • Fresh coriander, chopped

For Rajgira ki Puri:

  • 1 cup rajgira atta (amaranth flour)
  • 1 boiled potato, mashed (acts as a binder)
  • ½ tsp rock salt
  • Warm water, as needed
  • Ghee or oil, for frying

How to make Vrat ke Aloo:

  1. Heat pure cow ghee in a pan or a kadhai. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
  2. Add finely chopped green chillies, sauté briefly, then add boiled potato cubes.
  3. While this is boiling, add salt and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the gravy thickens.
  4. Garnish with coriander.

How to make Rajgira ki Puri:

  1. In a bowl, mix rajgira or amaranth flour, mashed potato, and salt.
  2. Add warm water little by little and form a soft dough. Roll the dough into small balls on a chakoti or parchment paper.
  3. Fry in medium-hot ghee or cold-pressed oil and fry the puri until puffed and golden.
  4. Drain the excess oil and serve hot with vrat ke aloo.

Tips for Perfect vrat ke aloo and rajgira ki puri:

  • Rajgira flour is delicate. Avoid over-kneading and use gentle rolling to get the right shape.
  • For softer puris, you can add a spoonful of yogurt to the dough.

Singhare ka Halwa -

Singhara or water chestnut flour is an all-time favorite ingredient for fasting, especially Janmastami vrat.

Singhare ka Halwa is a rich, smooth, and warm dessert for your fast, which perfectly pairs with the devotional mood.

You can also offer this halwa as a bhog to Bhagwan Shri Krishna.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

  • 1 cup singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour)
  • 4 tbsp desi cow ghee
  • 2½ cups water (or milk for a richer taste)
  • ½–¾ cup sugar (adjust to taste)
  • ½ tsp cardamom powder
  • Chopped nuts (almonds, cashews) for garnish

How to make Singhare ka aata:

  1. In a thick-bottomed kadhai or pan, heat the pure desi cow ghee on a low flame.
  2. Roast the singhara flour for 5 to 6 minutes until it turns aromatic and light golden.
  3. Carefully pour water or milk and stir continuously to avoid any lumps from forming.
  4. Add sugar to the mixture and mix until it dissolves. Sprinkle with cardamom powder and cook until the halwa stops sticking to the sides of the pan.
  5. Garnish with some chopped nuts and serve warm.

Tips for Perfect Singhare ka Halwa:

  • When dry roasting singhare ka aata, keep the flame low as it brings out the nutty flavour without burning.
  • For a creamy texture, you can mix water and milk in equal proportions.
  • A few strands of saffron in warm milk will give a royal touch to this halwa.

Makhane ki Kheer -

When it comes to Janmashtami vrat-friendly desserts, Makhane ki Kheer is a classic recipe.

This creamy, nutty, nutritious recipe is made from Makhana or fox nuts and is often offered as bhog to Bhagwan Shri Krishna.

Ingredients (Serves 3–4)

  • 1 cup makhana (fox nuts)
  • 1 liter of full-fat milk
  • 3–4 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 2 tbsp ghee
  • ½ tsp cardamom powder
  • Chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, cashews) for garnish
  • Saffron strands (optional)

How to make Makhane ki kheer:

  1. Heat ghee in a kadhai and roast Makhana on a low flame for 4-5 minutes until it’s crisp.
  2. Crush some makana lightly for a creamy kheer. Keep some of them intact for texture.
  3. In a heavy-bottomed pan, boil full-fat milk and simmer for a while. Stir in roasted makhana and cook for 10–12 minutes until soft.
  4. Add sugar, cardamom powder, saffron, and mix well. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm or chilled.

Tips for perfect makhane ki kheer:

  • Simmer your milk on a low flame for a naturally thick and creamy texture.
  • Roast makhana well to avoid a chewy texture in kheer.
  • For vrat, use rock sugar (mishri) instead of refined sugar for a more traditional taste.

FAQ’s -

  1. When to keep fast on Janmashtami 2025?

    Janmashtami fast will be observed on August 16, 2025, as per the Udaya Tithi of Ashtami of Krishna paksha in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada.

  2. What can I eat in Janmashtami fast?

    Satvik foods like sabudana, sama chawal, rajgira, makhana, singhara atta, fresh fruits, and milk-based dishes are allowed.

  3. How to do Janmashtami fast at home?

    Janmashtami fast can be observed in two ways. Either nirjala fast, where devotees abstain from eating till midnight, or falahar fast, where they eat satik meals, offer bhog at midnight, and break the fast after aarti.

  4. What is Lord Krishna's favourite food?

    Makhan Mishri, milk sweets, and dishes made from dairy are considered Shri Krishna’s favourites.

  5. What is the time of Bhog for Janmashtami?

    Janmashtami bhog is offered during midnight, when Shri Krishna’s birth takes place.

  6. Can I eat prasad during Janmashtami fast?

    Yes, you can eat vrat-friendly prasad or bhog offered to Shri Krishna during the Janmashtami vrat.


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