Janmashtami is going to be celebrated on August 26, 2024. Take a look at how the festival is celebrated across India.
Janmashtami 2024 is set to be celebrated on August 26. This beautiful day is observed to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. People across India celebrate the festival with great zeal and pomp. While some celebrate by fasting, others engage in breaking dahi-handi, singing hymns, visiting temples, preparing feasts, and more. Janmashtami is celebrated on a grand scale, particularly in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Photo Gallery: Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations in Mathura And Vrindavan
As we prepare to celebrate Janmashtami, we present various ways it is observed across India.
Maharashtra
Janmashtami is celebrated in a unique style in Maharashtra. Songs such as “Govinda Aala Re” play on the streets as locals participate in the dahi-handi ritual, which symbolizes Lord Krishna’s love for buttermilk.
Manipur
By the 1700s, Vaishnavism had become a widely practised state religion in Manipur. In Imphal, Hindus celebrate the festival by offering prayers at Shri Shri Govindajee and ISKCON temples. During this time, Manipuri performances and Raas Lila, dedicated to Lord Krishna, are held.
Udupi
Shri Krishna Math in Udupi, Karnataka, is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is famous for its Janmashtami celebrations. The best time to visit Udupi is during Krishna Janmashtami.
Vrindavan, Mathura
Krishna’s birthday is celebrated on a grand scale in Mathura, where it is believed that Lord Krishna spent much of his childhood in Vrindavan. On this special day, temples including ISKCON, Banke Bihari, and Radharaman hold grand celebrations.
Dwarka
Dwarka, Krishna’s kingdom, celebrates his infancy with grandeur. The Dwarkadhish temple is adorned with precious jewels, and kirtans and bhajans are performed on Janmashtami. Women play cards and take a break from chores. Makhan-handi, similar to dahi-handi, is a highlight.
South India
In different parts of South India, people celebrate Janmashtami in various ways. While some observe fasts, others draw kolams (patterns made of rice batter) and recite the Bhagavad Gita.
West Bengal & Odisha
People in the eastern part of India celebrate Janmashtami by fasting and offering regional sweets to the baby Krishna.