Jay Shree Krishna!

Lord Krishna, by whose hail, we start our day, by whose name, we exchange greetings to everyone. His divine existence can not be only felt in our temple room, but also he can be spotted stealing a look with his smirk in the rest of our home. Yes, even though, our “Ganesha” crew ranks at the top list, our “Krishna" collection is likewise appealing. 

Unlike last year's traditional celebration, this year's joyful celebration is different. For this 'Janmashtmi' we are venturing where we haven’t venture before. Letting you in today, on our Krishna collection with some ideally suited festival vignettes of “Krishna” theme around our home. These treasured pieces have not only witnessed our experience but they often unlock the past and let in the deeply held memories with them.

The very first is our natkhat ‘Bal Gopal’, (a kid version of Krishna) combined here with complimentary accessories to honour the piece. His giggling smile pouring out a dollop of ‘makkhan’ (butter) is amply evident for his love towards it. Curated from all the way UK, this baby Krishna was rescued from my son’s bedroom to share on this post. 

Few pieces of our collection tug at my heartstrings and this Krishna is one of those. His handsome pose is infused here with few pops of red and hypnotizing flames to fall in love impulsively. He came into our life as our wedding gift (many moons back) from family members.

Another flute playing Krishna is a family heirloom piece that we proudly own. With intact imprints of the place and the year (Haridwar, Ganga River, 1969) this piece marks the oldest of our collection. Holding the pride of the place in our temple, it is a treasured ‘handed down’ gift from my husband’s grandfather.

And few glorious touches of celebration on ‘Krishna’ theme around the home also include some flat lays. Another gifted piece of flute playing Krishna is a brass frame, which is casually placed for a decorative tone.  Lately, I have sparked my interest in a flat lay styling and still learning the tricks of building a theme but floating flowers in diyas created this vignette effortlessly.  

Now we leap towards the vignettes of eternal love. A soulful and sensuous “Radha-Krishna” sums up the core of my next 3 styling. The colors of the piece itself complement one another and to harmonize the appearance I have floated few same colored petals in a brass bowl. A yellow dahlia from my very own tiny garden champions a fresh approach on this swaying away zula under the ‘kadamba’ tree figurine.

A shimmering silver vignette with limited color pallet has been added on my wooden shelf anchoring another ‘Radha-krishna’. Krishna, as spotted here under ‘kadamba’ tree, is playing heartwarming tunes from his flute; while Radha here is simply curling up to hear more melodies.

No Krishna celebration could be over without mentioning his unapologetically mischievous “raas-leela”. A very old frame (which followed us in each and every home of ours, is entwined in many memories) portrays different gestures of Krishna playing raas with Radha. Another flat lay sort of arrangement to justify the look of the frame is banded together with little strokes of color to give a melodic appeal.

Celebrations also call for special recipes of the family...this 'Gujarati Panjiri' (made out of 5 ingredients) will rock your celebration. Recipe calls for dry roasted whole coriander, whole roasted fennel seeds, dried shredded coconut, powdered sugar and white poppy seeds. Grind equal amounts of every ingredient and add a drop of clarified butter (GHEE) and your Panjari for Prasad is ready, not only for Krishna but also to please your guests.

Signing out today's post singing "Happy Birthday" to Krishna and wishing you all a very "Happy Janmashtmi" celebrations at your end. Until we meet again stay connected on Facebook  and Instragram feeds of Pinkz Passion for more eye candy decors, toodles!

Jay Govinda - Jay Gopala

In the silence of the night, my mind is just blooming with tons and tons of thoughts. With butterflies in my tummy and nervous about no one ever reading it, I am about to start my journey of "blogging". Never thought of being a blogger before but the ideas of spreading my thinking definitely took place long back. Finally found a platform to pen it down and present as a show to you all.

The very much starting post with my SHREENATHJI - My God, My Lord, My Krishna. He is the form of Lord Krishna and Radhaji - 2 in 1. His main idol is located in "Nathdwara, Rajasthan. Great amount of devotees visit the place for his darshan and blessings. "Vaishnavas" follow this "Pushtimargiya" religion and deeply believe in him.

I am here to cover an event took place in my home -  ANNAKOOT. I happen to share few glimpses of the event on few groups of social networks and was surprised to learn the fact that many are unaware about the term even. Mostly all temples following this religion around the world perform the Annakoot on the day after Diwali.  

Annakoot meaning a Koot (heap or mountain) of Anna (food). Many of you must be aware about the story of GOVARDHAN dharan by Krishna. In nut Shell, he held the Govardhan mountain on his pinky prior to few days of Diwali to protect his people and cattle in the rain to save from the anger of Indra. However they were awed by his superhuman act and celebrated by worshipping the mountain and offering all the delicacies to him. This is how the tradition of Annakoot actually started.

 

I started my journey of pleasing him a month ago. Initially it doesn't click right away from where to start and what to start with. Even if you start you can't guarantee of being perfect as it is offerings for the god you can't taste it. Well, I know he loves sweets and even though I am not the right person of making them I started by surfing couple of websites, videos and group discussions.Some days are passed in up and down mood swings and you can't think or make any samagri. However, certain days are with more spirit and those days, you will be done with 6/7 prasadi items.

I made most of the dry snacks and sweets first and kept them in the freezer. So many dishes I never thought of making but still tried and made. It all came along magically by the end of the day.

 

 

I knew that last day had to be an eventful day with lots of excitement, confusion and pleasing. I was all ready to take up the challenge with lots of pre preparations. I ended up making 70+ items as offerings out of which I made half of them or more the same morning. Aj supported me through out the journey of it.

This was all my part of doing it, Aj participated by making an actual Govardhan mountain. Took his time out of busy schedule and made one pleasing to eye.

 Slow and Steady wins the race, I was almost there. Ready to win his heart. The busy morning passed by quickly and time came to arrange the offerings.

Finally all set to please Krishna with my offerings, my seva, my love to him.

 

Lots of chanting bhanjans filled the prayer room. The whole atmosphere was divine. I could feel his smile peeking through all of these. The offerings were taken as "Prasadi" by all who joined us for the darshan. 

Ended the event with so many blessings, so many happy faces and so many satisfying seniors. Each day my love for him grows more and more and I wish it remains the same. I want his hand of blessing on me forever.  

Krishna - MY LOVE, MY HEART, MY HERO, MY IDOL, MY GOD....KRISHNA ROCKS.