If you want to prepare something special and traditional for Lord Krishna during Janmashtami, you can make Gopalakala. This delicious dish from Maharashtra is made from poha and yogurt. Its preparation is very simple and takes little time. A simple recipe for this dish is presented below.
On the day of Janmashtami, his favorite treats are offered to Lord Krishna. On this day, many sweets and dishes are prepared at home, from mahana-misri to various desserts. Although many prepare halwa and kheer, this year it is worth trying Gopalakala. Gopalakala is a traditional Maharashtrian dish considered special for offering to Lord Krishna.
Gopalakala is also used to fill vessels that are broken during Dahi Handi, after which they are distributed among devotees as prasad. The advantage of this dish is that it is easy to prepare at home and does not require much time. Below is the method for preparing the beloved Kanha Gopalakala at home.
First, rinse the poha under light water in a colander. It is important not to keep the poha in water for too long, otherwise, it may become very soft. Then, let it sit for a few minutes to drain excess moisture.
Take the poha in a large bowl. Add yogurt and milk, and mix thoroughly. Now stir in finely chopped cucumber, coconut, peanuts, green chili, and green coriander. Add salt and a little sugar, and mix all ingredients well.
In a small pan, heat oil or ghee. Add mustard seeds; as soon as they start sizzling, add curry leaves and a pinch of asafoetida to prepare the tadka. Pour this tempering over the prepared Gopalakala and mix well. Let it stand for a few minutes to stabilize.
After that, offer the prepared Gopalakala to Lord Krishna. Although it can only be made on Janmashtami, it can also be quickly prepared on any other special occasion. Its taste is completely different from other dishes and is very delightful.