๐ When & Where
- Date: Celebrated on Shukla Trayodashi (13th day of the bright fortnight) in the month of Jyeshtha (MayโJune).
- 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.
๐ 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.
๐ 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.
๐ 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 fedโshowcasing the all-inclusive mercy of Nityananda Prabhu.
โจ Spiritual Lessons
- Serving Vaishnavas pleases the Lord.
- Nityananda Prabhuโs mercy is for allโeven the fallen.
- Simple offerings made with devotion attract the Supreme.
- The pastime teaches humility, generosity, and surrender.
๐ Festival Celebrations Today
- Devotees recreate the Chida-Dahi festival with:
- Kirtans ๐ถ
- Dramas ๐ญ
- Lectures ๐
- Prasadam distribution ๐
- Thousands gather in Panihati.
- ISKCON temples worldwide celebrate with traditional Chida preparations.
๐ Scriptural Reference
- The pastime is glorified in Sri Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya-lila, Chapter 6.
- Srila Prabhupada emphasized serving devotees as the heart of bhakti.
๐ธ Recipe Corner: Chida-Dahi (Flattened Rice with Yogurt)
๐ Traditional Vaishnava Recipe
Ingredients (4โ6 servings):
- 2 cups Chida (flattened rice/poha)
- 2 cups Fresh yogurt (cool and thick)
- 2 Ripe bananas (sliced or mashed)
- 2โ3 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)
๐ช 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.
๐ช Tips:
Keep it simple and sattvic โ inspired by the original offerings of love and devotion.
๐ฟ Spiritual Mood
โThis 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.โ
๐ Serve the Vaishnavas โ Donate for Panihati Festival
โBy serving prasadam to devotees, one attains the supreme blessings of the Lord.โ
โ Chaitanya Charitamrita, Antya-lila 6
Become part of this sacred festival through your generous seva:
๐ 1. Chida-Dahi Prasadam Sponsorship
- Sponsor prasadam for 100 devotees โ โน10,001
- Sponsor full-day prasadam seva โ โน51,000
๐ต 2. Flower & Altar Decoration
- Flower garlands and dรฉcor โ โน5,001
- Special abhisheka & deity decoration โ โน11,000
๐ฏ 3. Festival Arrangements
- Tent, seating, lighting, sound โ โน25,000
- Stage setup for dramas/kirtan โ โน15,000
๐ 4. Book Distribution
- 50 Bhagavad-gฤซtฤs โ โน20,000
- 100 Small books โ โน4,500
๐ 5. General Seva
- Any amount from your heart ๐
- Monthly supporter โ โน1,001
๐ฆ How to Donate
๐ณ Bank Details:
ISKCON โ Canara Bank
A/C No: 0519101043190
IFSC: CNRB0000519
๐ช UPI:
0519101043190@cnrb
๐ Online:
๐ฑ Contact:
WhatsApp: +91-70193 34718
Email: iskconraichur@gmail.com
๐บ Your seva brings joy to thousands and pleases Lord Nityananda!
โEven a leaf, a flower, fruit, or water offered with love is accepted by Me.โ
โ Bhagavad-gฤซtฤ 9.26