The Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya observed Shri Krishna Janmashtami at midnight with religious rituals, aarti, bhajan-kirtan and the chanting of devotional slogans. Preparations had been made at the temple complex for the celebration, including an offering of about 1.5 quintals of panjiri and 56 bhog.
As midnight approached, devotees waiting for the birth of Lord Krishna gathered for the Janmashtami celebrations. The temple complex resonated with the sound of conch shells and bells as aarti and worship were conducted to mark the manifestation of Lord Krishna.
Devotees raised slogans including “Jai Kanhaiya, Jai Gopala” and “Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki” and prayed to Lord Krishna for the happiness, peace, prosperity and well-being of their families.
The temple trust had arranged for Lord Krishna’s birth celebration to be conducted according to traditional religious rituals. Information about opening the temple at midnight and conducting the Krishna Janmotsav had been provided in advance.
This year, preparations were made for the recitation of verses from the Shrimad Bhagavata for the first time at the temple complex. The religious programme was organised alongside the midnight worship and aarti marking Lord Krishna’s birth.
The preparations for the recitation were intended to include verses associated with the pastimes and teachings of Lord Krishna as part of the Janmashtami observance.
The tradition of offering panjiri and 56 bhog to Lord Krishna was followed at the temple. About 1.5 quintals of panjiri was arranged along with the 56 bhog.
After the birth celebration, the offerings and prasad were distributed among devotees. Panjiri, makhan-mishri, fruits, sweets and other prasad are traditionally offered to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami, and similar arrangements were made at the Ram Temple.
Information had been provided that Janmashtami would be observed in Ayodhya on September 4. According to the Panchang, the festival was observed on this day due to the conjunction of the Ashtami tithi and Rohini nakshatra.
The Ram Temple and other prominent temples in Ayodhya organised the midnight celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth in accordance with this religious tradition.
According to the traditional belief associated with Lord Krishna’s birth, he was born at midnight on the Ashtami tithi of the Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada. Therefore, special worship and the birth celebration are conducted at night during Janmashtami.
Devotees observed a fast throughout the day and followed the tradition of breaking it after Lord Krishna’s birth at night. At the Ram Temple, devotees participated in the aarti and worship conducted at midnight.
The sound of conch shells and bells accompanied the celebration. Devotees offered prayers, remembered religious episodes associated with Lord Krishna’s birth and sought blessings while participating in the Janmotsav.
The religious programme continued after midnight, with devotees taking part in bhajan and kirtan. Aarti was conducted, followed by the offering of bhog and distribution of prasad.
Janmashtami was also observed at other temples across Ayodhya, where tableaux were decorated for the Krishna Janmotsav and the child form of Lord Krishna was adorned.
Bhajan-kirtan and religious programmes were organised at several locations. Around midnight, temple bells and ghariyals began ringing as devotees raised slogans to mark the birth of Lord Krishna.
Janmashtami was also celebrated in Mathura, Vrindavan, Ayodhya, Kashi, Lucknow and other cities of Uttar Pradesh with religious observances.
Ayodhya is identified with Lord Ram, while Lord Krishna Janmashtami was also observed at the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple according to Vedic and traditional religious practices.
Lord Ram and Lord Krishna are both regarded as incarnations of Vishnu in Hindu religious tradition. Devotees at the temple participated in Krishna worship, remembered the religious significance associated with Lord Krishna’s birth and offered prayers.
At homes, devotees also placed Laddu Gopal in swings. In temples, Bal Gopal was given an abhishek, dressed in new clothes and adorned with a crown, peacock feather and flute. After the birth celebration, devotees swung the idol and performed aarti.
Across the country, Krishna Janmotsav was observed at midnight on Janmashtami in accordance with the religious tradition.
The Janmashtami observance at the Ram Temple included preparations for the first recitation of Shrimad Bhagavata verses at the temple complex, the offering of panjiri and 56 bhog, midnight worship and aarti. Devotees participated in the celebrations and raised “Jai Kanhaiya, Jai Gopala” slogans as the Krishna Janmotsav was marked at the temple.
