📅 When & Where
- Date: Celebrated on Shukla Trayodashi (13th day of the bright fortnight) in the month of Jyeshtha (May–June).
- Location: Held annually in Panihati, on the banks of the Ganges River, near Kolkata, West Bengal.
- Organizers: Grandly organized by ISKCON and Gaudiya Vaishnava communities worldwide.
🙏 Historical Significance
This festival commemorates the loving pastime of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, one of the Six Goswamis of Vrindavan, and celebrates the causeless mercy of Lord Nityananda Prabhu.
📖 The Story
- Raghunatha Dasa wished to join Lord Chaitanya in Jagannatha Puri but was advised to remain at home.
- When Lord Nityananda arrived in Panihati, Raghunatha offered obeisances from a distance.
- Nityananda Prabhu playfully “punished” him by ordering a feast for all devotees.
- Raghunatha joyfully prepared:
- Chida-Dahi (flattened rice with yogurt)
- Chida-Dugdha (flattened rice with sweetened milk)
- Ingredients included: bananas, camphor, condensed milk, sugar, ghee.
- Thousands of devotees partook in a transcendental picnic on the Ganges bank.
- Lord Chaitanya Himself appeared invisibly to accept the offering.
🍚 The Transcendental Feast
Two divine preparations made with love:
- Chida-Dahi (Yogurt Mix): With banana, camphor, sugar, and ghee.
- Chida-Dugdha (Milk Mix): Soaked in sweetened, thick milk and served chilled.
Ingredients Used:
- Clay pots
- Yogurt
- Milk
- Bananas
- Camphor
- Sugar
- Ghee
Devotees, villagers, cows, and even dogs were fed—showcasing the all-inclusive mercy of Nityananda Prabhu.
✨ Spiritual Lessons
- Serving Vaishnavas pleases the Lord.
- Nityananda Prabhu’s mercy is for all—even the fallen.
- Simple offerings made with devotion attract the Supreme.
- The pastime teaches humility, generosity, and surrender.
🎉 Festival Celebrations Today
- Devotees recreate the Chida-Dahi festival with:
- Kirtans 🎶
- Dramas 🎭
- Lectures 📖
- Prasadam distribution 🍚
- Thousands gather in Panihati.
- ISKCON temples worldwide celebrate with traditional Chida preparations.
📜 Scriptural Reference
- The pastime is glorified in Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya-lila, Chapter 6.
- Srila Prabhupada emphasized serving devotees as the heart of bhakti.
📸 Recipe Corner: Chida-Dahi (Flattened Rice with Yogurt)
🍚 Traditional Vaishnava Recipe
Ingredients (4–6 servings):
- 2 cups Chida (flattened rice/poha)
- 2 cups Fresh yogurt (cool and thick)
- 2 Ripe bananas (sliced or mashed)
- 2–3 tbsp Sugar or jaggery
- 1 tbsp Ghee (optional)
- 1/4 tsp Cardamom powder
- Pinch of edible camphor (optional)
- 2 tbsp Grated coconut (optional)
- 2 tbsp Chopped nuts & raisins (optional)
- A few Tulasi leaves (for offering)
🔪 Preparation:
- Wash and soak chida for 5 minutes. Drain well.
- In a mixing bowl, combine:
- Soaked chida
- Yogurt
- Bananas
- Sugar/jaggery
- Add:
- Cardamom, camphor (optional)
- Coconut, nuts, ghee (optional)
- Mix gently. Serve cool.
- Garnish with Tulasi leaves and offer to Sri Sri Nitai-Gauranga with devotion.
🪔 Tips:
Keep it simple and sattvic – inspired by the original offerings of love and devotion.
📿 Spiritual Mood
“This simple preparation, made with love and humility, attracted even Lord Chaitanya to appear invisibly at the Panihati festival. Such is the power of bhakta-seva and prasad-seva.”
💛 Serve the Vaishnavas – Donate for Panihati Festival
“By serving prasadam to devotees, one attains the supreme blessings of the Lord.”
— Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya-lila 6
Become part of this sacred festival through your generous seva:
🍚 1. Chida-Dahi Prasadam Sponsorship
- Sponsor prasadam for 100 devotees – ₹10,001
- Sponsor full-day prasadam seva – ₹51,000
🏵 2. Flower & Altar Decoration
- Flower garlands and décor – ₹5,001
- Special abhisheka & deity decoration – ₹11,000
🕯 3. Festival Arrangements
- Tent, seating, lighting, sound – ₹25,000
- Stage setup for dramas/kirtan – ₹15,000
📖 4. Book Distribution
- 50 Bhagavad-gītās – ₹20,000
- 100 Small books – ₹4,500
🎁 5. General Seva
- Any amount from your heart 🙏
- Monthly supporter – ₹1,001
📦 How to Donate
💳 Bank Details:
ISKCON – Canara Bank
A/C No: 0519101043190
IFSC: CNRB0000519
🪙 UPI:
0519101043190@cnrb
🌐 Online:
📱 Contact:
WhatsApp: +91-70193 34718
Email: iskconraichur@gmail.com
🌺 Your seva brings joy to thousands and pleases Lord Nityananda!
“Even a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water offered with love is accepted by Me.”
— Bhagavad-gītā 9.26
