Home > 5 Best Janmashtami Celebration locations in India
- VBee
- August 12, 2022
- 8:46 am
India, the land of festivals, is famous for its various festivals. Every month marks a popular fair or festival in India. The month of August brings the joy of Janmashtami in India. Also known as Krishna Janmashtami or Shree Krishan Janmashtami, the festival symbolizes the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.
In India, Janmashtami is celebrated with tremendous joy and grandeur. People worship and welcome Lord Krishna in the middle of the night. The festival ends with a midnight function, a dance festival, and the famous Dahi-Handi or Matki Phod competitions.
This year, in 2022, Janmashtami will be celebrated on August 18. Though you can enjoy the glory of Janmashtami throughout India, there are some places where you can enjoy the marvelous form of the festival; here are 5 such places in India which are best for Janmashtami celebrations.
Mathura
Mathura is the pilgrim city of Uttar Pradesh on the banks of the Yamuna River. Each year around 8 lakh people witness the heavenly celebration of Janmashtami at Mathura.
Relation between the place and Lord Krishna: Mathura is said to be the actual birthplace of Lord Krishna. The central jail where Devaki gave birth to the lord was located on the bank of Yamuna.
Major temple of celebration: Shrikrishna Janmabhoomi Temple
Events not to miss: Following four events you shouldn’t miss while enjoying your Janmashtami celebration in Mathura:
- Jhulan Utsav
- Ghatas
- Rasleelas and mythical dramas.
- Dahi Handi ceremony
How to reach Mathura: Indira Gandhi International airport is the nearest airport to Mathura; from Delhi, you can take multiple options like public transport or cabs.
Gokul
To witness the authentic flavor of Krishna Bhakti and devotion, Gokul is the best location to visit during Janmashtami in India. In Gokul, Janmashtami is celebrated one day after Shree Krishna’s birth and is known as Gokulashtami. The entire stretch of Mathura-Vrindavan-Gokul is widely famous among the ISKCON community, and Krishna devotees.
Relation between the place and Lord Krishna: Lord Krishna was taken directly to Gokul by his father after his birth. The place is associated with the childhood of the lord Krishna.
Major temples of celebration: Radha Raman Temple and Radha Damodar Temple.
Events not to miss: Following are the things that you shouldn’t miss while enjoying your Janmashtami celebration in Gokul:
- Sanskrit mantra chanting and sings
- Dahi Handi Mahotsav
- A visit to the town where Krishna lived as a cowherd.
- Holy bath of the lord with curd, nectar and turmeric.
How to reach Gokul: You can reach Gokul either from Jaipur Airport or New Delhi Airport.
Vrindavan
Another famous pilgrimage city of North India, Vrindavan, is located 15 km away from Mathura. Vrindavan is another best and most auspicious event to enjoy Janmashtami in India. It is said that the city is home to 5000 Hindu temples.
Relation between the place and Lord Krishna: Shree Krishna was sent to Vrindavan from Gokul; when his uncle discovered his home in Gokul and sent his army there to kill him. Here the lord has spent his younger days and performed Raas Leela with his Gopis.
Major temples of celebration: Banke Bihari Temple, Rangnathji Temple, Radharaman Temple and ISKCON Temple.
Events not to miss: Following four events you shouldn’t miss while enjoying your Janmashtami celebration in Vrindavan:
- Shree Krishna Abhishek (holy bath of Lord Krishna)
- Rasleelas and mythical dramas.
- Dahi Handi ceremony
How to reach Vrindavan: You can simply reach here from Mathura by cab or bus. Also, Indira Gandhi International airport is the nearest airport to Vrindavan; from Delhi, you can take multiple options like public transport or train from here.
Dwarka
Another pilgrim center of Gujarat. Each year millions of devotees all over the world mark their presence in Dwarka to enjoy the colors of Janmashtami. Also known as the Golden city of Uttar Pradesh, Dwarka was established by Shree Krishna and his brother Balram.
Relation between the place and Lord Krishna: While the other three places, Gokul, Vrindavan and Mathura, witnessed the presence of Shree Krishna as a man. Shree Krishna ruled Dwarka, and it is the place where the lord leaves his mortal human form.
Major temple of celebration: Dwarkadhish Temple
Events not to miss: Following are the things that you shouldn’t miss while enjoying your Janmashtami celebration in Dwarka:
- Continuous mantra chanting
- Dahi Handi Mahotsav
- Maha aarti at Dwarkadhish Temple
- A walk to the city
How to reach Dwarka: You can simply reach from Jamnagar Airport or Porbandar Airport of Gujarat by hiring a cab or getting a public bus.
Nathdwara
Nathdwara, situated in Rajasthan, is another city that is closely attached to the life activity of Lord Krishna. Devotees from Haryana, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Gujarat visit here yearly on Janmashtami. Every year, the city of Nathdwara is beautifully decorated one week before Janmashtami.
Relation between the place and Lord Krishna: At Nathdwara, Lord Krishna is seen lifting Govardhan Parbat on his pinkie finger while the village faces heavy floods and rain.
Major temple of celebration: Shreenathji Temple
Events not to miss: Following are the things that you should enjoy during your Janmashtami celebration in Nathdwara:
- Panchamrit bath of Lord Krishna
- Dahi Handi Mahotsav
- Chappan bhog prasad at Shreenathji Temple
How to reach Nathdwara: You can reach Nathdwara by getting a bus from Udaipur. Udaipur airport is the nearest airport to Nathdwara.
Tell us in the comment section below which is your favorite temple in India; also, have you ever visited Vrindavan or not? For more updates subscribe to our channels on different platforms.