Kanjak Bhog Sweets: Delightful Treats to Honour the Little Goddesses

When was the last time a simple sweet left you feeling closer to tradition? Navratri is not just a festival; it's a spiritually filled environment for nine days, characterized by fasting, prayers, and devotion. This year, from March 30, devotees will celebrate this pious period, avoiding grains and some foods, instead emphasizing purity and self-discipline. The eighth or ninth day Ashtami or Navami is when the fast is broken by offering the sacred Kanjak puja.

Kanjak, or Kanya Pujan, is a ceremony during which 12 young girls, considered as the manifestations of Goddess Durga, are greeted with immense worship. They are brought into households, their feet washed as an expression of respect, and fed a spiritual meal, with bhog sweets as part of the course. The sweets aren't offerings only; they also represent appreciation, reverence, and the care component of the divine feminine.

Here is a list of 7 Kanjak bhog sweets that will make this ceremony really special.

Barfi

Barfi is a common type of sweet found in Indian celebrations and it is a melt-in-the-mouth, rich sweet, produced using condensed milk and sugar. Its balanced sweetness and melt-in-the-mouth texture make it equally popular among young girls as well as the elderly. Usually using edible silver leaf to decorate it, barfi gives an aura of festivity. Variations such as besan barfi, pista barfi, and chocolate barfi add diversity to the Kanjak platter, introducing an element of festivity into the celebration. Made either with khoya or milk powder, the sweet is always a symbol of auspiciousness and piety.

Coconut Laddoo

Soft and fragrant, coconut laddoo is a simple-to-make sweet that occupies a special position in the Kanjak bhog. Prepared with fresh or dried coconut and condensed milk, these laddoos are naturally sweet and cherished for their simplicity. Some use jaggery instead of sugar for a touch of tradition, and the sweet becomes even more wholesome.

Kaju Katli

Kaju Katli is a beloved sweet that can be found in most Indian homes, particularly during celebrations. Composed of ground cashews, sugar syrup, and ghee, this diamond-shaped sweet is as opulent as it is scrumptious. Since it calls for few ingredients but impeccable technique, making kaju katli at home is an act of faith, making sure the offering is pure and made with love.

Boondi Laddoo

Boondi laddoo is a colorful and auspicious sweet, usually made for religious ceremonies. Composed of small, deep-fried gram flour pearls immersed in sugar syrup, these laddoos have a crispy outside and a soft, juicy interior. Preparation of boondi laddoo is laborious, reflecting patience and dedication in religious offerings. Garnished with almonds and pistachio slivers, these laddoos add a festive sparkle to the Kanjak bhog thali.

Besan Ladoo

A family favorite, besan laddoo is prepared by toasting gram flour in ghee until it becomes golden brown and gives out a nutty flavor. The toasted flour is combined with powdered sugar and formed into round laddoos, which are usually decorated with a whole almond or cashew. This dessert isn't simply a delight; it is also full of nostalgia for many, evoking memories of childhood and family rituals. Its simplicity and rich flavor make it a nourishing inclusion in the Kanjak meal.

Homemade Dry Fruits Kheer

A bowl of homemade dry fruits kheer is a wonderful conclusion to the Kanjak meal on a soothing note. Prepared using slow-cooked rice, milk, and a good amount of almonds, cashews, and raisins, this kheer is both healthy and comforting. A pinch of saffron and cardamom gives it a heavenly fragrance, and it becomes an indulgent but sacred offering. Some add makhana (fox nuts) for an extra crunch, while others garnish it with a spoonful of chilled Oreo milk fruit pudding: a no-bake dessert that puts a contemporary spin on the traditional banquet.

Kalakand

Kalakand is a soft milk sweet that brings together the richness of condensed milk and the grainy texture of chhena (cottage cheese). It is slow-cooked, so the milk thickens and reduces, creating a rich treat that is lightly sweet and aromatic. A pinch of cardamom and a topping of chopped nuts add to its charm. Kalakand symbolizes purity and devotion, which is why it is a great prasad for Kanjak puja.