Today is the Vadrava month Krishnavathas Athami Tithi, a significant day as it is the sacred festival of Janmashtami, celebrating the birth of Lord Shrikrishna. Devotees of the Vaishnava tradition across the country will celebrate Nandlala’s birthday with great fervor. In Mathura and Vrindavan, the Lord will be worshipped in a deeply devotional atmosphere.
In Puri, a special birth ceremony for Shrikrishna will also be held at the temple. After the conclusion of Sanandhyadhupa, the Mahajan Sevak will conduct the birth ceremony of Srikrishna, who will be born in Nishardha as part of the birth ritual. Once the evening candle rituals end, the Jayavijay door will be closed, and the worshippers will draw a Janamandala in Panchavarna Muruz in front of the treasure house.
A golden idol of Krishna will be placed at this spot, and Madanmohan will be brought from the south house. The birthday will be celebrated by two Mahajan servants, representing Devaki and Vasudeva. Afterward, Madanmohan will be taken to the Naviktamandap, where rituals from Krishnajanma to Upanayana will be performed. Madanmohan will then be placed on a swing near Jagmohan, completing the Shrikrishna birth ceremony. The observance of Srikrishna’s birth will continue until the Kansavadha Leela, which begins today.
Mathura, the birthplace of Shrikrishna, is also abuzz with Janmashtami preparations. A grand celebration, Bhabhaya, is organized at the Srikrishna Birthplace Temple in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. Similarly, Gujarat’s Dwarkadhish Temple is illuminated with dazzling lights, drawing throngs of pilgrims. The city of Dwarka is filled with excitement as it celebrates the 5251st Janmashtami festival this year.