Patna: Across India, devotees are marking Krishna Janmashtami today with elaborate rituals, fasting, and celebrations that continue through the night. The festival, observed on the eighth day of the lunar month, commemorates the birth of Krishna, believed to have been born at midnight.
Temples in Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka and Puri have been adorned with decorations, while lakhs of devotees are gathering to take part in the festivities. The Janmotsav Muhurat — the auspicious time associated with Krishna’s birth — falls between 12:00 am and 12:48 am.
Traditionally, fasting begins at Brahma Muhurat and continues until sunrise the next day. Devotees break their fast only after offering food to Krishna and partaking in prasad. While strict fasting rules prescribe fruits, milk, and dry fruits, exemptions are made for children, the elderly, and those in ill health.
The significance of Janmashtami lies in the belief that it purifies the mind, body and soul, bringing peace, prosperity, and victory over obstacles. Scriptures describe the observance as Jayanti Vrat, a fast that symbolises triumph and spiritual fulfilment.
In Mathura, temples have been decorated on unique themes, while in Dwarka the Jagat Mandir has been illuminated with lights. In Vrindavan, officials estimated that more than 10,00,000 devotees were expected to participate in the celebrations.
