ISKCON Khichdi Recipe: How to Make ISKCON Style Khichdi at Home

Khichdi Recipe is a simple yet complete dish to have in a day. It is widely prepared in all the Hare Krishna Temples. As a meal, it is rich in nutrients that nourish the body. When distributed as an offering, it becomes a blessing from the Lord. The taste and smell of this simple prasadam make everyone feel the presence of Lord Krishna.

At Gupt Vrindavan Dham, we offer this prasadam in the evening every day. It is combined with the blissful Tulsi-charnamrita of Lord Krishna and lord Balaram. Also, distribute this offering to the school-going poor children through Akshaya Patra Seva. It is said in the scriptures that the food that has been accepted by the Lord is equally divine as the Lord Himself.

In Bhagavat Gita As It Is, Chapter 3, text 13:-

यज्ञशिष्टाशिनः सन्तो मुच्यन्ते सर्वकिल्बिषै ।
भुञ्जते ते त्वघं पापा ये पचन्त्यात्मकारणात् ॥ १३ ॥
~Bg. 3.13

Translation: The devotees of the Lord are released from all kinds of sins because they eat food which is offered first for sacrifice. Others, who prepare food for personal sense enjoyment, verily eat only sin.

The Significance of Khichdi in Vedic and Vaishnava Traditions

In Vaishanism, the Khichdi Recipe holds a special place due to its spiritual symbolism. It is a perfect mixture of grains and vegetables that is offered as bhoga to the deities. Its sattvic nature makes it ideal for devotional practices. In our temple, it is prepared daily to be distributed among the visitors.

Despite its simplicity, it is considered the best nourishing food for ages. In Vedic culture, this food is cherished as the simplest and purifying meal. With minimal spices and healthy fats(cow’s ghee), it provides energy for a long time. Such food is suitable for long meditations and scriptural studies.

The Khichdi Recipe – Temple Style Preparation of Prasadam

We make the khichdi prasadam by following the traditional purity and simplicity. Here are the ingredients and the preparation steps of how this recipe is made in our temple. Use the exact ingredients and follow the step-by-step procedure:

Ingredients: (To serve 4 to 6 people)

i) Moong Dal, two cups

ii) Khichdi rice, one cup

iii) Water, four cups

iv) Cow’s ghee, two tablespoons

v) Cumin seeds, one tablespoon

vi) Granted ginger, one tablespoon

vii) Tomato, one chopped

viii) Green chillies, 1-2

ix) Seasonal vegetables (as per the choice)

How to make?

Follow the steps below to make this prasadam recipe at your home:

i) Wash the rice and dal.

ii) Heat the ghee in a heated pan and add the cumin seeds.

iii) Add the chopped vegetables, tomatoes, and grated ginger.

iv) Now, add the washed rice-dal mixture and water.

v) Put salt, turmeric powder, and cover it until cooked.

Bhagavad Gita’s Words for Sattvic Food

Here are the verses from Chapter 10 of Bhagavad Gita As It Is. In these verses, one can get an idea of sattvic and unsattvic food. The food that influences the mode of goodness is sattvic in nature, like Khichdi Prasadam.

आहारस्त्वपि सर्वस्य त्रिविधो भवति प्रिय: ।
यज्ञस्तपस्तथा दानं तेषां भेदमिमं श‍ृणु ॥ ७ ॥

~Bg. 17.7
Translation: Even the food each person prefers is of three kinds, according to the three modes of material nature. The same is true of sacrifices, austerities, and charity. Now hear of the distinctions between them.

आयु:सत्त्वबलारोग्यसुखप्रीतिविवर्धना: ।
रस्या: स्‍निग्धा: स्थिरा हृद्या आहारा: सात्त्विकप्रिया: ॥ ८ ॥

~Bg. 17.8
Translation: Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence, and give strength, health, happiness, and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.

कट्‌वम्ललवणात्युष्णतीक्ष्णरूक्षविदाहिन: ।
आहारा राजसस्येष्टा दु:खशोकामयप्रदा: ॥ ९ ॥
~Bg. 17.9
Translation: Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and burning are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, miser,y and disease.

यातयामं गतरसं पूति पर्युषितं च यत् ।
उच्छिष्टमपि चामेध्यं भोजनं तामसप्रियम् ॥ १० ॥
~Bg. 17.10
Translation: Food prepared more than three hours before being eaten, food that is tasteless, decomposed, and putrid, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of darkness.|

How to prepare temple-like Khichdi at home

This recipe is ayurvedically healthy and recommended to prepare at home. It is completely sattvic with less spice that makes the digestion easy and strong. The ingredients are put in a perfect balance so that they can satisfy your mood and hunger at the same time.
However, to make it taste like temple prasadam, you must follow some rituals while cooking this recipe:
i) Cleanliness:

In the temple kitchen, the Khichdi is prepared with all hygienic precautions. When you prepare this recipe at home, make sure to take a bath before wearing washed clothes. Also, clean the kitchen properly before using any utensil. This is the one step that makes the food sattvic in nature.

Note: Keep remembering that you are making prasadam to offer to Lord Krishna while cleaning the kitchen.

ii) Constant Chanting:

Chanting the name of Lord Krishna creates a positive sound vibration around you. It helps your inner consciousness to be happy. When your inner consciousness is happy and you keep chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra, your food will taste like prasadam.

Note: Hare Kishna Mahamantra:- “Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Ram Hare Ram, Ram Ram Hare Hare”.

iii) Sering Attitude: While chanting the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, one must maintain a serving attitude. It is a state of mind where you cook with the only intention to serve Lord Krishna, not satisfying your hunger.

iv) Offer First: Once the food is prepared, offer it to Lord Krishna with a leaf of Tulsi (if available). When you serve the food to Lord Krishna first, it transforms into blessings.

FAQs:

1. What makes the Khichdi Recipe sattvic?

Khichdi is a simple dish of rice, dal and vegetables. In temples, it is made without any onion, garlic or other tamasic ingredients.

2. Can I offer khichdi to Krishna?

Yes, prepare it with hygiene and devotion at home. Once it is prepared, offer it to Lord Krishna with leave of tulsi on it (if available).

3. How long does it take to cook the Khichdi Recipe?

Preparing the Khichdi recipe takes 15-20 minutes on average. It is a flexible time that makes it a quick meal for working professionals.

4. Can I make khichdi on Ekadashi?

No, on the days of Ekadashi, grains are restricted. Especially the rice, it is said in Vedic scriptures that grains contain negativity on these sacred days. So, it is better to avoid grains on Ekadashi.

5. Is khichdi good for digestion?

It has been known as a comfort meal for ages. It is perfectly fine for digestion. In fact, on the days of fever or other illness, Khichdi is always suggested to be taken before medicine.

6. Why is khichdi common in Vaishnava temples?

Khichdi is a simple food with healthy ingredients and minimal spices. It is considered the best prasadam option in all Hare Krishna Temples because of its simplicity. Usually, when we have food, we feel lazy enough not to do anything but sleep. This is the reason why the prasadam is supposed to be simple and soothing, so that one can focus on devotion even after having it.