Janmashtami fervour grips nation as devotees celebrate Krishna’s birth

Devotees across India are celebrating Janmashtami on Friday with devotion and enthusiasm as temples resonated with religious chants, while cities and towns were adorned with colourful decorations, lights and festive displays.The festival, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna, drew large gatherings at temples across the country, with devotees participating in prayers, special rituals, processions and cultural programmes.
Mathura witnesses huge gathering of devotees
In Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura, regarded as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, thousands of devotees gathered at the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple to mark the auspicious occasion.
The city and neighbouring Vrindavan were illuminated with elaborate decorations ahead of the celebrations, creating a festive atmosphere as devotees arrived from different parts of the country.A devotee in Mathura described the celebrations as an expression of divine devotion.“Everything is by the grace of Kanha Ji. It is His divine play and His illusion; only He knows. The whole world is dancing to His tune, otherwise no human being has the power. What can a human being do?” the devotee said.

Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: Devotees gathered at Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami. pic.twitter.com/VND92f1RTy

— IANS (@ians_india) September 4, 2026

The Shri Banke Bihari Ji Mandir in Vrindavan also witnessed heavy footfall, with devotees gathering for the special Janmashtami aarti. Long queues and barricaded areas were put in place to regulate the movement of devotees seeking darshan.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also inaugurated the Kanha Bhakti Stambh in Mathura as part of the festival-related events.

#WATCH | Mathura: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath showers flower petals on the devotees gathered at the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. pic.twitter.com/fZb2yrol7D

— ANI (@ANI) September 4, 2026

Religious programmes held across Punjab
In Kapurthala, Punjab, devotees visited temples to offer prayers and seek darshan. A grand procession was taken out from the Shri Satyanarayan Temple, while special religious programmes were organised at various locations across the city.Temple priest Shri Satyanarayan extended Janmashtami greetings to devotees and said the birth celebrations of Lord Krishna were being observed with joy and enthusiasm across the world.“On the auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, I extend my heartfelt greetings to everyone, as today marks the birth celebration of Banke Bihari,” he said.

Kapurthala, Punjab: Kaputhala is immersed in Janmashtami celebrations, with devotees thronging temples for prayers and darshan. A grand procession was also taken out at the Shri Satyanarayan Temple, while special religious programmes were held across the city pic.twitter.com/EEm0gCBVrr

— IANS (@ians_india) September 4, 2026

In Patiala, devotees gathered at the Shri Radha Krishna Temple in Model Town to seek darshan of Laddu Gopal and participate in the festival celebrations.Amritsar’s Durgiana Temple was also decorated with flowers and colourful lights. Devotees began arriving early in the morning for prayers and darshan.A temple priest said the birth of Lord Krishna would be celebrated at midnight, followed by the traditional Panchamrit Snan of Laddu Gopal and blessings for devotees.
Janmashtami celebrations in Bihar
In Patna, elaborate arrangements were made at the ISKCON Temple as devotees started arriving in large numbers from the morning.A devotee appreciated the arrangements made at the temple, saying they were better than in previous years and that visitors were not facing major inconvenience.“Darshan may be delayed by around half an hour,” the devotee said.

Patna, Bihar: Grand preparations are underway at the ISKCON Temple in Patna for Janmashtami celebrations, with a large number of devotees gathering at the temple since morning.

A temple devotee says, "...The arrangements are very good. This year, they are even better than in… pic.twitter.com/Vgjqiw1qRC

— IANS (@ians_india) September 4, 2026

Mumbai ISKCON marks 60 years
In Mumbai, a large number of devotees gathered at the ISKCON Temple in Chowpatty for Mukh Darshan.The celebrations held special significance for ISKCON this year as the organisation completed 60 years of its spiritual journey and service.“This Janmashtami is very special for ISKCON because today ISKCON has completed 60 years. On this occasion, very good preparations have been made,” a temple priest said.

Mumbai, Maharashtra: A large gathering of devotees thronged the ISKCON Temple in Chowpatty, Mumbai, to seek Mukh Darshan on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. The temple is also commemorating 60 years of ISKCON’s spiritual journey and service. pic.twitter.com/AMl9WIAI1T

— IANS (@ians_india) September 4, 2026

Delhi temples illuminated for festival
In the national capital, temples were also decorated and illuminated for Janmashtami. The ISKCON Temple in East of Kailash was adorned with colourful lights and displays depicting Lord Krishna and Radha.Large crowds gathered at the temple to participate in the celebrations, while police personnel were deployed to regulate the movement of devotees and maintain security.Preparations were also underway at the Prachin Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place as devotees continued to arrive for the festival.

#WATCH | Delhi: ISKCON Temple in East of Kailash illuminated for Janmashtami. pic.twitter.com/IRuCffb7mv

— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2026

Devotees throng Dwarka for Thakorji’s Prakatya Utsav
Dwarka’s Dwarkadhish Temple in Gujarat marked the 5,253rd Prakatya Utsav of Thakorji with traditional rituals and devotional celebrations on Janmashtami. The temple was beautifully illuminated for the occasion as devotees from across the country gathered to seek blessings. Priest Nita Ji said the celebrations began with Mangala Aarti at 6 AM, followed by the Abhishek at 8 AM, while the Raj Bhog remained the day’s most significant offering.

#WATCH | Gujarat: Dwarka’s Dwarkadhish Temple celebrates the 5,253rd Prakatya Utsav of Thakorji with religious fervour on Janmashtami. The Dwarkadhish Temple has been illuminated for the occasion.

Priest of the temple, Nita ji says, "... People from all over are flocking to… pic.twitter.com/kWnyFjj7yw

— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2026

Significance of Janmashtami
Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, who is revered in Hindu tradition as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu.
The festival is observed on the eighth day, or Ashtami, of the Krishna Paksha during the month of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu luni-solar calendar.Mathura and Vrindavan hold particular importance during Janmashtami because of their deep association with Lord Krishna’s life and traditions.From temple rituals and midnight prayers to illuminated streets, processions and cultural programmes, the festival brought together devotees across the country in a spirit of faith and celebration.

(Asstt.Editor)