The holy month of Shravan is a time of devotion, fasting, and special offerings to the Lord. At Bhaktivedanta Hospital & Research Institute, this sacred season has always been celebrated with heartfelt enthusiasm through Shravan Mithas – our annual recipe contest hosted by the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics under the guidance of our HOD, Dt. Vaidehi Nawathe.
This year marked the 16th edition of Shravan Mithas, and the theme was both unique and deeply devotional: “Bal Krishna Bhog – a tiffin menu with flavors both savory and sweet.”
A Flavorful Offering for the Divine Child
Bal Krishna Bhog, often referred to as the offering for infant Krishna, holds a special place in Vaishnava traditions. Just as a child is lovingly fed, nurtured, and cared for, devotees prepare wholesome sattvic vegetarian dishes for Bal Gopal (Laddu Gopal) with the same affection and simplicity. These offerings, rich in purity and symbolic of bhakti, are then honored as prasad, spreading divine joy to everyone.
Through this year’s Shravan Mithas, our participants beautifully captured this essence. The contest became a heartfelt celebration of culinary creativity, nutrition, and devotion.
The Contest Highlights
We were blessed with 25 entries from enthusiastic participants across different departments. Each dish reflected not only culinary innovation but also an undercurrent of love and spiritual sentiment.
Our esteemed panel of judges — Dr. Komal Dalal, Dr. Devang Modi, and Mr. Shridhar Donthula — had the delightful yet challenging task of selecting winners from such an impressive array of recipes.
Winners of Shravan Mithas 2025
● 1st Prize: Mr. Sunder Iyer (Billing Department)
Recipes: Pasta, Idli Sandwich, Jackfruit Kheer
● 2nd Prize: Ms. Swati Iyer (Ayurveda Department)
Recipes: Protein Bites, Mini Moong Dal Idli, Matki Mithai
● 3rd Prize: Mrs. Geeta Vas (Accounts Department)
Recipes: Pudding, Choraphalli, Choorma Ladoo
● Consolation Prize: Mrs. Harshada Tripathi (Cardio Department)
Recipe: Chappan Bhog
Each of these creations was a beautiful blend of taste, health, and devotion.
More Than Just a Contest
Shravan Mithas has always been more than just a cooking competition. It is a reminder of how food, when prepared with love and devotion, becomes prasadam – sanctified and spiritually nourishing. This year’s theme brought us closer to the playful innocence of Bal Krishna, helping us reconnect with the joy of simple, sattvic offerings. The event also highlighted how nutrition and spirituality can beautifully complement each other, a philosophy deeply embedded in the ethos of Bhaktivedanta Hospital & Research Institute.
A Note of Gratitude
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our hospital management for always encouraging such devotional initiatives. A special thanks also goes to Nucgnex, who arranged the beautiful Shravan Mithas Chef Aprons that added an extra charm to the celebration. Most importantly, the success of this event would not have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, led by Dt. Vaidehi Nawathe, whose guidance and vision made Shravan Mithas 2025 a truly memorable celebration.
Shravan Mithas reminds us that cooking is not just about flavors — it is about offering love, purity, and devotion at the lotus feet of Lord Krishna.
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