Janmashtami, the celebration of Lord Krishna's birth, is an occasion filled with joy, devotion, and delightful foods. One of the most cherished offerings is Makhan, or butter, which holds a special place in Krishna's heart due to his legendary love for it. Here's a simple and traditional recipe to prepare Makhan that you can offer on this auspicious day.

Ingredients
2 liters of fresh whole milk
1 cup of curd (yogurt)
1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar
Salt to taste (optional)
1 tablespoon of sugar (optional)

Instructions
Prepare the Curd:
In a large bowl, add the curd to fresh milk and mix well. Let it sit in a warm place for 6-8 hours or overnight to allow the milk to curdle and turn into yogurt.

Curdling the Milk:
Once the milk has curdled, gently heat it on a low flame. Stir occasionally until the curds (chena) and whey separate. If the curds and whey don’t separate well, add a little lemon juice or vinegar to assist in the process.

Strain the Curd:
Pour the curdled milk through a muslin cloth or fine sieve to strain out the whey. You will be left with chena (cottage cheese) in the cloth. Rinse the chena under cold water to remove any acidic taste.

Churn the Chena:
Transfer the chena to a large mixing bowl. Use a hand blender or stand mixer with a whisk attachment to churn the china. Churn until it starts to release the butter. 

Extracting Butter:
As you churn, the butter will begin to separate from the buttermilk. You can use a spoon or ladle to collect the butter. Continue churning until the butter is fully separated. The remaining liquid is buttermilk, which can be used for cooking or as a refreshing drink.
Refining the Makhan:

Place the collected butter in a clean bowl. Add a pinch of salt and sugar if desired. Mix well to incorporate the seasonings. You can also shape the butter into small balls or use a butter dish for presentation.

Serving:
Serve the freshly made Makhan in a decorative bowl or plate. You can place it on the Janmashtami altar as an offering to Lord Krishna. Accompany it with traditional items like Mishri (sugar crystals) for a complete Janmashtami experience.