Places to Visit in India to Witness Janmashtami Celebration

Lord Krishna is one of the most revered Gods in India. It is only natural that the Lord’s birthday is celebrated with great pomp throughout the country. The Lord’s birth is celebrated as Janmashtami, and it is one of the important and colourful festivals in India, which occurs during the monsoon season between August and September.  

While most parts of India celebrate the festival, there are some places where it is celebrated at a grand level. One of the highlights of Janmashtami celebrations is the Dahi Handi, where people form a human pyramid to break the earthen pot filled with yoghurt and butter.  

Let us look at some of the best places to visit in India to witness Janmashtami celebrations. 

Mathura 

Lord Krishna was born in Mathura, and therefore, it is an important place of worship for the Hindu community. The birth of the Lord is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm in the city. The celebrations start early in the morning, as people bathe the idols of Lord Krishna with honey, milk, curd and ghee. This ritual is called Abhishek.  

After bathing the Lord, they then decorate the idol with new clothes and ornaments and place it on the swing. Typically, people make a makeshift swing in the courtyard where Lord Krishna happily sits on the swing. This traditional ritual is a wonderful sight to see, which only shows the love of the people for the great Lord.  

Another major attraction in Mathura during Janmashtami is the Ras Leela. It is a traditional dance form where kids not older than 10 years perform a dance depicting the different stages of Lord Krishna’s life from his childhood to teenage years. People from nearby cities come to Mathura to see Ras Leela.  

Vrindavan 

Located close to Mathura, Vrindavan is also known for celebrating Janmashtami on a grand scale. It is believed that Vrindavan is the place where the Lord grew up, and where he did the Ras Leela with his beloved consort, Radha. Here in Vrindavan, the celebrations start about 10 days before the actual festival date, and you can see the temples and houses decorated with lights and flowers.  

It is one of the best places to celebrate Janmashtami in India as you can see and take part in many events that depict the life of the great Lord. 

Dwarka 

Known as one of the oldest cities in India, Dwarka is believed to be once the Kingdom of Lord Krishna. It is the place where Lord Krishna lived for about 5000 years after he left his beloved town, Mathura. In this beautiful city, the Janmashtami celebration continues for about one month, and you can hear Mangal Arti being performed in all temples across the city. As part of the celebrations, the locals dress up in colourful traditional attire and do Garba and Ras.  

If you are planning to visit Dwarka during Janmashtami, you can book your stay at the Club Mahindra Dwarka resort, one of the best resorts in Dwarka. The resort is the perfect amalgamation of tradition and modern. Also, this resort by Club Mahindra in Gujarat would be a perfect base to witness the grand festival celebrations and explore the famous tourist spots nearby. 

Udupi 

Janmashtami celebrations and the traditions are different in the south than the northern states. Udupi, a popular town in Karnataka is known for its Sri Krishna Mutt, which was built after the Dwarka city submerged under the water.  

The Sri Krishna Mutt temple is a popular tourist spot in the city, and many people come here to see its stunning architecture. Here the deity is placed on a Golden Chariot, and you can also find any idols of the baby Krishna that are made of clay. 

During Janmashtami, these clay idols are taken around in the city and a grand procession follows, allowing the locals and tourists to get a glimpse of the Lord and seek his blessings. Another highlight of the Janmashtami celebrations in Udupi is the special meal known as Kottige or Gunda that is prepared during the festival. 

Mumbai 

Mumbai is known to celebrate many festivals with fervour and Janmashtami is one of them. During the festival, the entire city comes together to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. You can see many cultural events organised at different locations, families making special goodies and preparing an elaborate feast with special items that Lord Krishna loved to eat.  

However, the major attraction in the city that makes it one of the best places to visit during Janmashtami is the Dahi Handi. Large groups of people visit the Dahi Handi venue in their respective costumes, and enjoy the ritual of breaking the handi (earthen pot) filled with curd and hung above in the air. People form a human pyramid to reach the handi. It is a sight that will remain etched in your memory for long.  

So, which city are you planning to go to witness the Janmashtami celebrations? No matter where you go, you are sure to have the best time.