NEW DELHI/MATHURA, September 4: Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated across India on Friday with prayers, fasting, bhajans and special temple ceremonies marking the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.
Temples and homes across the country have been decorated for the festival, while devotees are observing fasts and preparing for the traditional midnight celebrations associated with Krishna’s birth.
Mathura-Vrindavan Decked Up for Celebrations
The celebrations are particularly grand in Mathura and Vrindavan, two cities deeply associated with the life of Lord Krishna.
Mathura-Vrindavan has been decorated for the occasion, with large numbers of devotees arriving from across India and abroad for special prayers, temple visits and midnight festivities.
Extensive security and crowd-management arrangements have been put in place in view of the expected turnout.
Yogi Adityanath to Join Mathura Celebrations
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is scheduled to participate in Janmashtami celebrations in Mathura today.
Local authorities have deployed security personnel at major temples, roads and congregation points to manage the movement of devotees during the peak celebration period.
Midnight Puja Marks Krishna’s Birth
Janmashtami celebrations traditionally reach their peak around midnight, the time associated with the birth of Lord Krishna.
According to Panchang-based timings for 2026, Krishna Paksha Ashtami began at 2:25 AM on September 4 and ends at 12:13 AM on September 5.
For New Delhi, the Nishita Kaal puja window is approximately 11:57 PM on September 4 to 12:43 AM on September 5, though local timings can vary slightly.
During the midnight ceremony, devotees traditionally bathe and dress idols of Laddu Gopal, offer bhog and perform aarti before celebrating Krishna’s birth.
President Droupadi Murmu Extends Greetings
President Droupadi Murmu extended Janmashtami greetings to citizens, highlighting the continuing relevance of Lord Krishna’s teachings.
She said Krishna’s life and teachings enrich India’s cultural and philosophical heritage and that the message of the Bhagavad Gita continues to guide people in making wise decisions during difficult times.
Temples Across India Hold Special Events
Across the country, temples are organising special bhajans, kirtans, aartis, devotional programmes and religious ceremonies throughout the day and into the night.
Devotees are also preparing sweets and other offerings associated with Krishna and decorating homes with scenes depicting episodes from his childhood in Gokul and Vrindavan.
Dahi Handi Celebrations to Follow
The festivities will continue in several regions with Dahi Handi celebrations, which recreate stories associated with Krishna’s childhood love for butter and curd.
Dahi Handi events typically involve teams forming human pyramids to reach and break an earthen pot suspended above the ground.
With major religious centres illuminated and thousands of devotees gathering for midnight prayers, Janmashtami 2026 is being marked across India with devotion, cultural traditions and large-scale public celebrations.
source – Akashvani News
Supreme News Network
