Top 10 places across India to experience Janmashtami festivities

Janmashtami is observed under various names, including Gokulashtami and Shrikrishna Jayanti. In Gujarat, it is referred to as Satam Atham, while in South India, particularly in Kerala, the festival is called Ashtami Rohini. Irrespective of the place, Janmashtami is celebrated with enthusiasm and devotion by Hindus in India and worldwide.

As we celebrate the festival today, here are the top 10 must-visit destinations to experience the festivities of Janmashtami 2024 across India:

1. Mathura, Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh:

Janmashtami celebrations begin ten days before the festival and include a variety of cultural and religious events such as Rasleelas, Bhajans, Kirtans, and Pravachans. (PTI)

Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, has a special significance during Janmashtami, as devotees observe a day-long fast, keeping vigil until midnight, which is believed to mark Krishna’s birth. The midnight puja is a highlight, during which the idol of Krishna is ceremonially bathed and dressed in new clothes. The people of Mathura put up a spectacle known as jhankis, depicting the story of Krishna’s birth.

Vrindavan, another key location in Krishna’s life, is associated with Krishna’s childhood and teenage years and his famous Ras leelas. Celebrations of Janmashtami begin almost 10 days in advance in Vrindavan. On the day Krishna’s life is recreated through Ras Leelas, Jhankis with the Abhishek, the grand ritualistic bath of Krishna is carried out.

2. Gokul, Uttar Pradesh:

Gokul, located near Mathura, is closely tied to Krishna’s childhood. The forests here were where he grazed his herd of cows. Interestingly, Janmashtami is celebrated a day after the actual festival day, as according to legend, Krishna was brought to Gokul the day after he was born, just after midnight.

The celebrations here are unique—at midnight, the people of Gokul pour holy water from the river Ganga, as well as curd, milk, and nectar over an icon of Krishna. Locals also participate in light-hearted activities and playfully drench each other with milk and turmeric paste. During this time, the Radha Raman and Radha Damodar temples are among the major religious centres that see the most visitors.

3. Pune, Mumbai in Maharashtra:

A devotee climbs atop a pyramid formed by fellow devotees to break ‘Dahi Handi’ during the Krishna Janmashtami festival, in Mumbai. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

Krishna, affectionately known as Makhanchor, had a fondness for ghee and buttermilk as a child. In remembrance of this and to recreate Krishna’s childhood, Janmashtami is celebrated as Dahi Handi in Pune, Mumbai, and many places in Maharashtra. On the second day of the festival, devotees form human pyramids and compete to break the earthen pot (handi) filled with buttermilk and dry fruits, which are hung at a great height.

4. Nathdwara in Rajasthan:

Nathdwara is primarily recognised for the Shrinathji Temple, which honours Shrinathji, Lord Krishna’s avatar. (credit: Shrinathji Satsang at Nathdwara Temple Blog)

Nathdwara, home to the famous Shrinathji Temple, celebrates Janmashtami with elaborate rituals and a deep sense of devotion. The temple, dedicated to Shree Krishna in his child form as Shrinathji, is beautifully decorated, and special ceremonies are conducted to mark the day. Devotees gather to offer prayers, sing devotional hymns, and partake in the distribution of prasad, creating a spiritually charged atmosphere that reflects the town’s strong connection to Krishna.

5. Dwarka in Gujarat:

Dwarka, the legendary city founded by Krishna himself, hosts grand Janmashtami celebrations. The temples are magnificently decorated, and a series of elaborate rituals are performed to honour Krishna. Devotees gather in large numbers to sing hymns and offer special bhog to the deity, enveloping the city in an aura of devotion and joy.

6. Udupi in Karnataka:

Sr Kirishna Math Udupi, Karnataka. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

8. Kumbakonam in Tamil Nadu:

Kumbakonam observes Janmashtami with traditional rituals and vibrant community celebrations. The local temples are beautifully decorated, and devotees gather to sing devotional songs and perform dances in honour of Krishna.

9. Guruvayoor in Kerala:

Guruvayur temple, a renowned Lord Krishna temple in South India, is believed to have been gifted to Lord Vishnu by Lord Brahma during Krishnavtaram.

Guruvayur, a municipal town in Thrissur, Kerala, is home to one of the most popular pilgrimages—the Sri Krishna Temple. Celebrated as Ashtami Rohini, the celebrations here include decorating the idol of Krishna in the temple for darshan. Devotees observe fast on the day before the festival, singing hymns and chanting shlokas at the temple, in addition to holding special concerts, cultural programs, and satsangs throughout the night.

10. Puri in Odisha:

The land of the Jagannath Temple, Puri, is said to be the abode of Krishna, where he resides with his siblings, Balarama and Subhadra. Janmashtami celebrations start 17 days before the day, with the festival being marked and adorned with flowers and lights, actors and artists enacting episodes from Krishna’s life, and devotees preparing a special prasad called Jeuda Bhog.

Wishing all our readers a very happy and blessed Krishna Janmashtami!