Jalebi Utsav is a winter festival held in December or January at Nathdwara Shrinathji temple. The festival celebrates the birth of Vitthalnath ji – believed to be a manifestation of Shrinathji himself. Jalebi Utsav 2024 date is December 24.
Jilebi is offered on most days of winter at the Nathdwara Shrinathji temple. But on jalebi utsav day a special jalebi is made at the temple and offered. The jalebi made on the festival day is as large as a thali plat and is about two inches thick.
The special offering is prepared on the birthday of Shri Gusaiji or Shri Vitthalnathji, the youngest son of Shri Vallabhacharya the founder of the Pushtimarg sampradaya. Vallabha Sampradaya or Pushtimarg is part of Hindu religion following the teachings of Sri Vallabhacharya. Nathdwara Shrinathji temple is the most important holy place of the sampradaya.
Shri Vitthalnathji was responsible for spreading the Pushtimarg sampradaya.
The jilebi festival is annually held on Margashirsha Krishna Paksha Navami or the ninth day during the waning or dark phase of moon as per traditional Hindu lunar calendar followed in Gujarat and in western parts India. The corresponding period in North Indian calendar is paush Krishna Paksha Navami or the ninth day during the waning or dark phase of moon.