Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates Lord Krishna's birth, considered one of the most revered and significant deities in Hinduism. The festival is observed on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (usually falling in August or September) according to the Hindu Lunar calendar.
Lord Krishna's birth is believed to have taken place in Mathura, an ancient city in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. The festival holds great religious and cultural significance for Hindus, and it is celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm across India and in other parts of the world with Hindu communities.
This year, the festival will be celebrated for two consecutive days, September 6 and 7, 2023.
There are several places in India where Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm due to its association with Lord Krishna's life and legends. Here are some of the main places where Janmashtami is celebrated prominently:
Mathura is considered the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and Janmashtami celebrations here are especially grand. The Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura is a significant pilgrimage site where thousands of devotees gather to celebrate Janmashtami.
Vrindavan, located near Mathura, is closely associated with Krishna's childhood and youth. It is believed to be the place where Krishna spent most of his early years and performed his divine activities. The Banke Bihari Temple and the ISKCON temple in Vrindavan attract large crowds during Janmashtami.
These two villages near Mathura have unique ways of celebrating Janmashtami. In Barsana, the "Lathmar Holi" tradition involves women playfully hitting men with sticks, symbolizing Radha's playful teasing of Krishna. In Nandgaon, men from the village visit Barsana and are greeted by the women in a similar manner.
Nathdwara in Rajasthan is home to the Shrinathji Temple, dedicated to a specific form of Lord Krishna known as Shrinathji. The temple is renowned for its unique celebrations of Janmashtami.
Dwarka, located in the state of Gujarat, is associated with Krishna's later life and rule as a king. The Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka is a major pilgrimage site where Janmashtami is celebrated with great fervor.
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has temples around the world, and these temples are known for their elaborate Janmashtami celebrations. The ISKCON temple in Mumbai, also known as the "Hare Krishna Temple," is particularly famous for its Janmashtami festivities.
The Udupi Sri Krishna Matha in Karnataka is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is known for its distinctive celebrations of Janmashtami, including the 'Paryaya' tradition where the temple administration is handed over to different monastic orders.
The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, also celebrates Janmashtami with devotion. Although the temple is mainly associated with Lord Jagannath, Krishna is also revered here.
The Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple in Kerala is a significant pilgrimage site for Krishna devotees in the southern part of India. Janmashtami is celebrated here with various rituals and festivities.
These are just a few examples, as Janmashtami is celebrated in numerous other places across India and in various communities worldwide where Lord Krishna is revered. No matter where you live in India, your favourite place of Lord Krishna is connected with Railways.