Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most significant festivals of the Hindu religion in India.

Popularly known with different names- Krishna Ashtami, Sri Krishna Jayanti, Janmashtami, the festival celebrates the birth of Shree Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Shree Vishnu.

This festival is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, according to the Lunisolar calendar.

The date for the Janmashtami celebration is given for two consecutive days. There are two sects of Krishna devotees-Smarta and Vaishnava. Both these sects celebrate Janmashtami on different dates.

The Smarta give preference to Nishith Kaal (Midnight timing) when Rohini nakshatra prevails. The tithi during the day could either be Saptami or Ashtami.   Vaishnava sect gives preference to the tithi Ashtami and nakshatra Rohini, the tithi could either be Ashtami or Navami.

Although this festival is celebrated across India with great enthusiasm Mathura is known to have a grand and zealous representation of devotion. Mathura is the birthplace of Krishna where historians believe that Krishna took birth five thousand years back.

The parents of Krishna, Vasudev, and Devaki were imprisoned by Devaki’s brother ‘Kansa’ behind seven locked barriers. When Krishna was born, all locks opened by themselves, and Vasudev managed to take away Krishna out of the prison safely and took him to Yashoda and Nand baba’s house in Gokul.

Today the birthplace of Krishna is known as ‘Krishna Janm Bhoomi temple’ while most part of the temple has been encroached by a mosque which was built in the time of Muslim emperor Aurangzeb to spread Islamic cult in India.

Janmashtami celebration in Mathura

Krishna Janm (Mid-night celebration)- During mid-night, Krishna Janm pooja is done by performing few rituals as- bathing Krishna idol or Laddu Gopal idol in Panchamritam (a liquid prepared with milk, curd, sugar, Ghee, Honey, and dry fruits. Then, the idol is dressed up and adorned with flowers and different things. After Aarti, the idol is rocked in a cradle-like a baby. Krishna is offered different food items known as ‘Chappan Bhog’.

Raas Leela Performance – Many professional artists and dancers take part in performing Raas Leela across the city which is so overwhelming that one may get immersed in Krishna devotion and forget the outside world. ‘Madhuban ‘is the place where Krishna performed Raas Leela with Gopikas.

Jhanki- In Jhanki, the events and various phases of Krishna’s life are presented by using special mud toys or idols. Jhanki is set up not only in Mathura but also in the other parts of India.

Jhulanotsava– During Janmashtami, many places in Mathura swings are hung up in the verandah or open spaces of houses and temples for welcoming new baby Krishna, however, the custom of setting upswings at houses during the month of Shravan is very common in North India.

Ghatas– This is an interesting tradition of Janmashtami in Mathura. The entire city is decorated with one particular chosen color, even the dresses of Radha and Krishna as well. This tradition continues till the end of the month. To have a mesmerizing experience of the festival, one must visit Mathura during Janmashtami.