Janmashtami 2025: Five Iconic Krishna Temples to Experience Devotion in Full Splendor
Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarakadhish Temple – New DelhiPopularly known as ISKCON Dwarka Delhi, this temple blends modern architecture with timeless spiritual fervor. Home to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai, Sri Sri Rukmini Dwarkadhish, and Sri Sri Jagannath Baldev Subadhara Maharani, it will host a three-day Janmashtami festival from August 15 to 17. The celebrations will feature children's cultural performances, devotional dance by Dr. Yasmin Singh's troupe, energetic rock kirtans, and a bhakti concert by young talents from Superstar Singer. The finale on August 17 will be marked by the Nand Utsav, a joyful event of folk dances, prasadam distribution, and community devotion.
Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi – Mathura, Uttar PradeshRecognized as the exact birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura's Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi is a spiritual epicenter during Janmashtami. Rituals here mirror the divine midnight birth, with the ceremonial bathing (abhishekam) of the infant idol and dramatic reenactments of Krishna's arrival. The city glows with thousands of lamps, while conch shells, bhajans, and Vedic chants fill the air, creating an unmatched spiritual ambience.
Banke Bihari Temple – Vrindavan, Uttar PradeshThe charm of Janmashtami at Banke Bihari Temple lies in its intimate and playful devotion. Known for its veiled darshan, where curtains are drawn every few seconds to reveal fleeting glimpses of the deity, the temple draws crowds through the night. Bhajans, dancing, and the highly anticipated midnight aarti transform the temple into a living celebration of Krishna's mischievous leelas in the land he once roamed.
Jagannath Temple – Puri, OdishaWhile famed for the annual Rath Yatra, Jagannath Temple observes Janmashtami with equal grandeur. Midnight abhishekam, recitation of Vedic hymns, and offerings of sweets and fruits honor Lord Jagannath, regarded as Krishna in his universal form. Priests narrate Krishna's birth story as thousands of devotees gather along Puri's coastline, blending deep reverence with festive energy in this ancient spiritual seat.
Rajagopalaswamy Temple – Mannargudi, Tamil NaduDubbed 'Dakshina Dwarka,' this Tamil Nadu temple worships Krishna as Rajagopala – the divine king. The deity is adorned in royal attire and jewels, with Carnatic music and classical dance performances marking the evening. Traditional delicacies such as akki payasam and seedai are offered as prasadam. The temple's towering gopurams and vast water tank provide a breathtaking backdrop for the grandeur of the celebrations.
Whether you seek the historical sanctity of Mathura or the cultural richness of Tamil Nadu, these five temples promise a soul-stirring Janmashtami – a journey not just of travel, but of heart and devotion.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Janmashtami celebrated with devotion in state
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Janmashtami was celebrated with festive spirit and joy across the state on Friday. Devotees thronged several important religious sites, including the Jagannath Temple in Puri and Iskcon Temple in Bhubaneswar, among others, to celebrate the festival. Many devotees gathered at temples and homes to perform puja at midnight, when it is believed that Krishna was born, while many observed a "nirjala" fast (without water) or the "phalahar" fast (fruits and milk only). Many places across the state organised devotional songs and dances to honour Krishna's divine nature. In temples and homes, baby Krishna idols were bathed in "panchamrit", dressed in new clothes, and placed in cradles. Though primarily dedicated to Lord Jagannath, the Srimandira in Puri celebrated Janmashtami with symbolic enactments of Krishna's birth, "sandhya dhupa", and placing Lord Madan Mohan in a chariot near the prayer hall. The rituals included dramatic portrayals of Krishna's birth and special prasad. "The Janmashtami celebration of Srimandira is unique. The enactment of the exact story of Lord Krishna's birth is amazing. I came here for the first time during Janmashtami, and I am feeling blessed to witness such a celebration," Bidhan Kumar, a devotee at Puri, said. Iskcon Temple in Bhubaneswar, in the meantime, hosted midnight Maha Arti, bhajans, and devotional gatherings. Thousands of devotees participated in the celebrations. "Every year I come to Iskcon to celebrate Janmashtami. It is a divine feeling," Srimayee Jena, a devotee, said. Dedicated to the milk-stealing form of Krishna, Khirachora Gopinath Temple in Remuna, Balasore, which is popular for its sweet offerings and Nanda Utsav celebrations, also made special arrangements for Janmashtami. Devotees thronged the temple from early in the morning. Similarly, Sakhigopal Temple in Puri, also known as Satyabadi Gopinatha Temple, Ananta Basudeva Temple in Bhubaneswar, Sabar Srikhetra in Koraput, and Nilamadhaba Temple in Kantilo, Nayagarh, also made special arrangements for the grand celebration of Janmashtami. "Janmashtami is the occasion when we celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. As we have read in scriptures, Lord Krishna came to the earth to overpower evil. Lord Krishna is a symbol of love and affection," Arati Behera, a devotee at Iskcon Temple, said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Sea of devotees flocks to Mathura to celebrate Janmashtami
Agency: PTI Mathura/Varanasi (UP), Aug 16 (PTI) Lakhs of devotees from across the world gathered in Mathura on Saturday to celebrate Janmasthami, with pilgrims queuing up since early morning to catch a glimpse of the deity in the birth place of Lord Krishna. Janmashtami was celebrated with great pomp throughout the Braj region, but the main ceremony was held at the Radha Krishna temple within the Bhagwat Bhavan complex here. Officials said the enthusiasm was palpable as devotees sought to catch a glimpse of 'thakur' (god), with queues forming as early as late Friday night at the northern gate of the temple. The eagerness of the crowd persisted late into the night, as the celebrations headed for a climax. The city and the municipal administrations transformed Mathura for the occasion, as roads and crossings were specially decorated, with scenes from 'Krishna Leela' set up as selfie points. Various cultural events hosted folk artistes from different parts of India, showcasing Awadhi, Bundelkhandi, Rajasthani and Haryanvi traditions through their art. Food, water and 'sherbet' were distributed free of cost to the pilgrims at multiple locations. To ensure the safety of the devotees, the city and the temple premises were divided into four zones and 18 sectors, with heavy police deployment at every point, the officials said. Janmashtami was was also celebrated with special rituals in Varanasi. According to the officials of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, clothes and gifts were sent from here to the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura for the occasion. The ISKCON temple in Vrindavan is celebrating the festival over two days. PTI COR CDN ARI view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Govinda aala re.. Bhopal celebrates Janmashtami with grand festivities
Bhopal: Devotees across Bhopal celebrated Shri Krishna Janmashtami with great enthusiasm on Saturday, marking the birth of Lord Krishna with vibrant festivities. Temples and other sacred places in the city echoed with the sounds of aartis and ringing bells, creating an atmosphere filled with devotion and joy. Various locations throughout the city organized worship ceremonies, aartis, bhajan kirtans, and engaging matki phod competitions. The most grandiose celebration was held at the ISKCON temple in Patel Nagar, regarded as the state's largest Janmashtami event. The largest celebration took place at the ISKCON temple in Patel Nagar, recognized as the state's biggest Janmashtami event. Other prominent venues like ISKCON Kolar, Karunadham Ashram, Maa Vaishno Dham Adarsh Nau Durga temple, and Birla Mandir also hosted special events. At the ISKCON temple in Patel Nagar, devotees experienced a spiritually immersive festival adorned with elaborate decorations. The ISKCON Kolar temple dressed Lord Radha Govind in a special flower outfit made from blossoms sourced from Nashik, Pune, Mumbai, and Indore, while Karunadham Ashram received an eco-friendly floral dress from Nagpur. Matki phod competitions delighted participants and spectators alike, with one matki suspended at 51 feet in Lalghati and another at 21 feet in Nehru Nagar. Winners received cash prizes, adding excitement to the celebrations. A representative from ISKCON Kolar said the festival began with mangal aarti at 4:30 am. Set in a vast field, the temple hosted a bhandaara all day, distributing around 300 quintals of fruit prasad from morning until the Lord's darshan. The road to the temple was decorated with sparkling electrical lights for kilometers, and the premises were lavishly adorned with flowers. Artistic Vedic paintings depicting Lord Krishna's life stories—such as Kaliya Mardan, Putana Vadh, Kansa Vadh, and Dwarka Leelas—were displayed, along with selfie zones for devotees. At Maa Vaishno Dham Adarsh Nau Durga temple, celebrations included giving Bhopal's largest Laddu Gopal a sacred Panchamrit bath, placing him in a decorated cradle, offering bhog, singing bhajans, and performing Maha Aarti at midnight. Birla Mandir remained open until 1 am, conducting the midnight ritual bath and dressing the Lord in special clothes from Gujarat. Other temples, including Shri Krishna Temple in Barkheda and Shri Banke Bihari Temple in TT Nagar, marked the day with floral decorations and distribution of aarti and prasad, uniting the city in the joyous celebration of Janmashtami. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
