News Desk: Streets and temples across India are resonating with bhajans, chants, and the joyful cries of “Radhe-Krishna” as the nation celebrates Sri Krishna Janmashtami with unmatched enthusiasm and deep spiritual fervour. The festival, marking the divine birth of Lord Krishna, has transformed cities, towns, and villages into vibrant hubs of devotion.
The spiritual epicentre of the celebrations, Mathura and Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh—believed to be the birthplace and leelasthali (playground) of Lord Krishna—are witnessing massive footfalls of devotees from across India and abroad. Iconic shrines like the Banke Bihari Temple, Prem Mandir, ISKCON Temple, and Shri Krishna Janm Bhumi Temple have been illuminated with dazzling lights, intricate floral decorations, and grand spiritual arrangements for the midnight Krishna Janm rituals.
In other parts of the country, temples are hosting Ras Leela performances, jhankis (tableaux) depicting Krishna’s life, and special midnight aarti. Markets are bustling with devotees buying traditional sweets, butter, and curd—symbolic of Krishna’s childhood mischief as Maakhan Chor.
On the eve of the festival, President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartfelt greetings to the nation. Calling Janmashtami “a festival filled with joy and divine energy,” she urged citizens to draw inspiration from the life and teachings of Yogeshwar Shri Krishna. “Lord Krishna enlightened humanity on attaining the ultimate truth through the path of Dharma. His eternal values guide us towards self-realisation, self-development, and the strengthening of society and the nation,” she said.
As the clock nears midnight—the sacred moment of Lord Krishna’s birth—temples are preparing for the ‘Abhishek’ ceremony, where the idol of the infant Krishna will be bathed in milk, curd, ghee, and honey, followed by devotees singing devotional songs late into the night.
For millions, Janmashtami is not just a festival—it’s an emotional and spiritual connection to the values of love, duty, and righteousness that Lord Krishna embodied, echoing across centuries into the hearts of devotees today.
