Panihati Cida Dahi Festival 2026

The Panihat Cida Dahi Festival, also known as the Dahi Chura Festival, is celebrated every year by devotees to commemorate the pastime of Lord Nityananda Prabhu and Raghunatha Dasa Goswami. During this festival chipped rice and yogurt are distributed among the devotees, but its importance lies in how the mercy of Lord Nityananda Prabhu can give us pure devotion. 

Panihati is a village situated in the northern Kolkata, West Bengal. About 500 years ago, the mercy of one Vaishnava devotee, Nityananda Prabhu became the reason for one devotee’s meeting with the divine, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. This year, the Panihati Festival will be celebrated on June 27, 2026.
That devotee's name was ‘Sri Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami’, a great Vaishnava saint. And, that divine meeting became the reason for celebrating this auspicious day as a festival, through the Gaudiya Vaishnava Sampradaya, every year.
Devotees all around the globe celebrated this festival by the preparation of chipped rice and yogurt, which is now known as Chida-Dadhi Mahotsav, to offer to Lord Krishna. It is mentioned in Chaitanya Charitamrita that this festival is a beacon of devotional journey for all the Gaudiya Vaishnavas.

A Punishment Filled with Mercy 

When one desires surrender at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna above all else, devotion finds its way to the heart. Raghunatha Dasa, the son of a wealthy landlord, was very eager to receive even a single glance of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, the divine incarnation of Srimati Radharani and Lord Krishna combined.

Although he repeatedly tried to leave home and travel to Jagannath Puri, where Chaitanya Mahaprabhu was carrying out His divine mission of spreading the Hare Krishna movement, he was unsuccessful.

His family and worldly responsibilities continued to hold him back, preventing him from attaining the association he longed for.

Burning in separation from the Lord, Raghunatha Dasa eventually approached Nityananda Prabhu, the divine incarnation of Lord Balarama and the eternal associate of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who was then residing in Panihati.

At that time, Lord Nityananda Prabhu was seated beneath a tree on the bank of the sacred Ganges, surrounded by devotees, kirtana performers, servants, and followers. Seated on a stone, He appeared brilliantly effulgent, illuminating the entire gathering. Devotees sat around Him, absorbed in His association.

When Raghunatha Dasa arrived and witnessed the Lord's divine presence, he was overwhelmed with awe. Out of deep humility, he offered his obeisances from a distance by falling flat on the ground.

Seeing him, one of Lord Nityananda's servants informed the Lord, "Raghunatha Dasa is offering obeisances to You."

Hearing this, Lord Nityananda smilingly said, "Here is the thief! At last you have come to see Me. Come here, come here. Today I shall punish you."

Even after being called, Raghunatha Dasa hesitated to approach. Lord Nityananda then had him brought near and mercifully placed His lotus feet upon his head.

He then gave His famous instruction: "dadhi, ciḍā bhakṣaṇa karāha mora gaṇe”śuni’ ānandita haila raghunātha mane” ~CC Antya 6.51 "Arrange a festival and feed all my associates chipped rice and yogurt."

Upon hearing this order, Raghunatha Dasa became overjoyed. What appeared to be a punishment was actually Lord Nityananda's special mercy, granting him the opportunity to serve the devotees and receive their blessings. This divine order would later become the origin of the celebrated Panihati Cida-Dahi Festival.

The Divine Destiny Of Raghunatha Dasa

Upon his guru’s command, Raghunatha Dasa started preparing the dish with dahi (yogurt), chida (flattened rice), milk, sugar, bananas, and camphor. As soon as the preparation was completed, thousands of devotees appeared to feast. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu also appeared to feast, in his divine form that was only visible to Nityananda Prabhu.

Raghunatha Dasa never knew that a single feast would bring him the eternal opportunity to serve the Lord, Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. He was no longer the son of a rich landlord, but one of the six Goswamis of Vrindavan.

The Reward of Serving Lord Nityananda's Devotees 

Raghunatha Dasa’s one time feast preparation opened the gate of the greatest divine opportunity. It proves that The Lord only sees the devotion in one’s heart and not the materialistic positions or the achievements.
When he touches the feet of Nityananda Prabhu, he grants him his one and only wish to be true- To go

Jagannathapuri and serves Chaitanya Mahaprabhu as his eternal servant.After some years, he left his home and everything and became a forever dear devotee of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. When he started his spiritual journey, over the 40 years of his life, he spent singing the bhajans of Radha-Krishna.

He was not living a normal life but growing spiritually, there were times when he restricted himself from eating , and sleeping at the maximum levels. Here are some points:

1.    He started his morning by taking a daily bath in Radha Kund.
2.    He worshipped Govardhana Shila daily, after a holy bath.
3.    He offered thousands of obeisances to honor Lord Krishna.
4.    He chants 64 rounds of holy names of Lor Krishna.
5.    Besides all the services, he ate only a cup of buttermilk, every day.

A Feast of Remembrance

 At his very first meeting with Nityananda Prabhu, Srila Raghunatha Dasa feasted with thousands of devotees including Chaitanya Mahaprabhu himself. To honor his selfless serving attitude, there’s a feasting organized every single year on this auspicious day, in Hare Krishna temples.

From Mayapuri to Vrindavan, and from London to Los Angeles, Vaishnavas came together across the globe, chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra, dance together, sing Hare Krishna sankirtan and prepare delicious prasadam for Lord Krishna. ”The message of this auspicious festival is to make one learns- how to serve the devotees of the Lord, before serving the Lord himself”. Considering the fact that every small gesture of devotion, service towards pure devotee leads you to the path of liberation, the path toward Lord Krishna himself.

Visit Gupt Vrindavan Dham with your family on this upcoming Panihati Festival and seek for the blessings of Lord Krishna and Lord Balaram.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the Panihati festival?

The Panihati festival or the Chida-Dahi Mahotsav, is the day remembrance of Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami’s humble service towards Nityananda Prabhu and his thousands of devotees, through preparing a delicious feast for them.

What is Panihati famous for?

This festival is primarily famous for the divine pastimes of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu with his great devotees - Nityananda Prabhu, Srila Raghunatha Dasa Goswami, and many more.

What is Chida Dahi festival in Chaitanya Charitamrita?

In Chaitanya Charitamrita, chapter 6, there is a well-defined explanation of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī’s meeting.