Music & Dance Through The Day, Maha Aarti At Midnight: India Celebrates Janmashtami With Pomp — WATCH

The occasion is celebrated in a particularly grand fashion in Mathura and Vrindavan, where it is believed that Krishna was born and raised.

Devotees offer prayers to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha at Bhagwat Bhawan of Sri Krishna Janmasthan Temple on the occasion of the Janmashtami festival, in Mathura.

Source : PTI

Across India, Lord Krishna’s devotees celebrated Janmashtami with fervour on Monday, and flocked to temples to offer prayers. The sound of bells, mridangam, and conch shells echoed at all the temples, and shrines were decorated with colourful lights and flowers on the festive occasion.

The occasion is celebrated in a particularly grand fashion in Mathura and Vrindavan, where it is believed that Krishna was born and raised.

#WATCH | Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: Celebrations at Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple are in full swing on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami pic.twitter.com/7LX7MbodTT

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2024

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday inaugurated Shri Krishna Janmotsav in Mathura. He also offered prayers at Banke Bihari Temple. 

भुवो भरावतारकं भवाब्धिकर्णधारकं
यशोमतीकिशोरकं नमामि चित्तचोरकम्।
दृगन्तकान्तभङ्गिनं सदासदालसङ्गिनं
दिने दिने नवं नवं नमामि नन्दसम्भवम्॥

पावन नगरी मथुरा में आज योगेश्वर भगवान श्रीकृष्ण और श्री राधा रानी के दिव्य और मनोहारी स्वरूप के दर्शन-पूजन किए।

दुःखभंजन, यशोदानंदन, भगवान… pic.twitter.com/m5HH5f6kGm

— Yogi Adityanath (@myogiadityanath) August 26, 2024

Security arrangements were made for Janmashtami at Mathura's Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple. Mathura Additional Superintendent of Police (Security) Bajrang Bali Chaurasia informed ANI that more than 2,000 security personnel were deployed in the region.

Women devotees who had come to Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple were seen singing and dancing in celebration. 

#WATCH | Mathura, Uttar Pradesh: Women devotees at Shri Krishna Janmasthan temple express joy on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami pic.twitter.com/X65qBhzL2q

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2024

Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav offered prayers at Radha Krishna Temple in Lucknow.

#WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav offers prayer at Radha Krishna Temple in Lucknow, on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. pic.twitter.com/TxLyfsWobI

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2024

In Delhi, at the Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Temple, a morning aarti was performed.

#WATCH | Delhi: Morning aarti performed at Shri Lakshmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Temple, on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami pic.twitter.com/QVdhlpPIrU

— ANI (@ANI) August 25, 2024

At Noida's ISKCON Temple, people were seen rejoicing with dance and music. Devotees had gathered in large numbers to celebrate the festival. ISKCON National Communications Director & VP, East Of Kailash, Vrajendra Nandan Das said that 'Maha Aarti' will be held at midnight. 

#WATCH | Devotees gathered in huge numbers for the Darshan of Lord Krishna at Noida's ISKCON Temple on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami pic.twitter.com/l1fNxYeXXD

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2024

Das said, "ISKCON is organising Shri Krishna Janmashtami in the entire world. As soon as the doors of ISKCON Delhi opened today at 4:30 pm, thousands of devotees thronged the temple to have a glimpse of the god. The 'Maha Abhishek' will begin at 9.30 pm, and later at 11 pm 'Chhappan Bhog' will be offered to Lord Krishna. 'Maha Aarti' will be held at midnight. I hope more than 5 lakh devotees will offer their prayers today..."

Devotees also gathered at the ISKCON Temple in the East of Kailash to celebrate Lord Krishna's birthday with full pomp and devotion.

#WATCH | Delhi: Janmashtami festival is being celebrated at the ISKCON temple in the East of Kailash. pic.twitter.com/7SmQAAspem

— ANI (@ANI) August 26, 2024