India is famous for its divine culture, history, and festivals which are celebrated around the country in their own way. Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. As per Hindu culture or you can say mythology, Lord Krishna is a child of Devaki and Vasudev, her uncle (mama) Kansa who was king of Mathura knows about his death from the 8th Child of Devaki & Vasudev through Akashvani. Kansa decided to kill Devaki, but Vasudev promise him that he will hand over their child to him. Thus, Kansa decide to put them in prison and killed all their child, when Devaki got pregnant the 8th time, things changed. That night when Devaki was in labour pain, Lord Vishnu visited the couple and told them to he will be the 8th child who came to kill Kansa and protect people. Lord Vishnu, makes the guard sleep and Vasudev take Lord Krishna in a basket above his head and crossed the Yamuna river in the night of heavy rain and thunderstorm and reached Vrindavan.
Lord Krishna spent his childhood in Vrindavan and then he killed the evil king Kansa in Mathura. In this blog, we will explore the places you should visit during Janmashtami.
Vrindavan
Vrindavan is a place where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, played Raas Leela with Gopi’s and fall in love with Radha Rani. In Vrindavan, the festival started 10 days before, and all the temples & narrow streets were decorated beautifully. All over the city, you can see lights, garlands, and the songs & mantras of Lord Krishna. The Jhanki’s of Raas Leela and Mahabharat were seen which mesmerized you.
The ‘Banke Bihari Temple’, ‘Prem Mandir’, ‘ISKCON Temple’ and many other temples festival were celebrated with lots of zeal.
If you are planning to celebrate Janmashtami, then add Vrindavan to your to-do list.
How to Reach
- Nearest Airport: Kheria Airport (AGR) in Agra
- Nearest Railway Station: Mathura Junction
- Nearest Bus Stand: Vrindavan Bus Stand
Staycation
- Nidhivan Sarovar Portico
- MVT Guesthouse & Restaurant
- Best Western Vrindavan
- Kadamb Spritual Stay
Mathura
Mathura, is the birthplace of Krishna, where Janmashtami is a grand festival and the whole town is decorated for Lord Krishna. In Mathura, Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated as Jhulanotsav, where Krishna’s bathed (Abhishek) with Panchamrit – milk, curd, ghee, honey & gangajal. After this Krishna decorates with new clothes and ornaments for the festival and put him in Jhula for swing.
The ‘Dwrakadhish Temple’ is decorated with flowers and performed Raas Leela, and Dahi Handi, and in some temples, Pandits read Bhagavad Gita. You can plan a trip to Krihna’s Birthplace to enjoy the Krishna Janmashtami.
How to Reach
- Nearest Airport: Agra Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Mathura Junction
- Nearest Bus Stand: Mathura Bus Stand
Staycation
- Brijwasi Land Inn
- Centrum Hotel by Brijwasi
- The Lalita Grand
- Hotel Krishnam Vrindavan
Dwarka
Janmashtami, Krishna’s own golden city submerged into water after Krishna’s death. It was proved by architecture that Dwarka was a golden city and has good infrastructure where Krishna spent 100 years. Dwarka is famous for Somnath, where an idol of Mahadev is situated and Janmashtami is celebrated in a grand way.
During Janmashtami, the priest prepared Bhog which is made of milk products was served to Krishna, and Mangla Aarti was performed.
Plan a trip to Dwarka and explore the beauty of Dwarkadish & Somanth Temple during Krishna Janmashtami.
How to Reach
- Nearest Airport: Jamnagar Airport & Porbandar Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Dwarka Railway Station
- Nearest Bus Stand: Dwarka Bus Stand
Staycation
- VITS Devbhumi Hotel
- Dwarkadhish Lord Eco Inn.
- Hotel Shri Darshan
- The Fern Sattva Resort
Puri
The Jagannath Temple in Odisa’s Puri is known for Lord Krishna’s avtar, where Janmashtami is celebrated with zeal and enthusiasm. In Puri’s Jagannath Temple, the festival is celebrated for 17 days and Raas Leela were performed in the pandal and devotees enjoy the performance. The songs of Krishna were played with Musical Instruments like Dhol, Manjira.
If you want to enjoy the Janmashtami in the coastal city of Odisa and explore the Culture, then plan a trip.
How to Reach
- Nearest Airport: Biju Patnaik Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Malatipatpur (MLT) Dist – Puri
- Nearest Bus Stand: Puri Main Bus Stand
Staycation
- Sterling Puri Resort
- Mayfair Waves Puri
- Hotel Golden Tree Puri
- NRS Royal Place
Nathdwara
Image Credit: Google
Nathdwara situated in Rajasthan is famous for ‘Shrinath Ji Temple’ and during Krishna Janmashtami, the temple is decorated with vibrant light. The festival started 1 month before the Ashtami of Shravan and the whole city was decorated and at the entrance of the temple, the clarinet (Drum, Trumpet) played for Lord Krishna. On Jamashtami, Krishna bathed with Panchamrit (curd, milk, ghee, honey & gangajal) with Mangala Aarti. On the second day of Krishna Janmashtami, Nandamahotsav celebrated with music and dance.
When you visit Nathdwara you feel you are in Vrindavan, the narrow streets, cuisine, and aura connect you spiritually. Don’t forget to add this place to your bucket list.
How to Reach
- Nearest Airport: Udaipur Airport
- Nearest Railway Station: Malvi Junction and Udaipur Railway Station
- Nearest Bus Stand: Nathdwara Bus Stand
Staycation
- Vrinda Hotel
- Shri Vallabh Vilas Lords Plazza
- The Sky Imperial Hotel Sugam
- Vandana Hotel
Conclusion
Janmashtami is celebrated across the nation, and the places mentioned in the article will give you an unforgettable experience. If you are a devotee of Krishna or planning to explore the culture, tradition, and customs, then must visit these places.
Pack your bag and explore the unexplored places with Hema.