Places you can visit to celebrate Janmashtami of 2023

Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates Lord Krishna's birth, considered one of the most revered and significant deities in Hinduism. The festival is observed on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada (usually falling in August or September) according to the Hindu Lunar calendar.

Lord Krishna's birth is believed to have taken place in Mathura, an ancient city in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India. The festival holds great religious and cultural significance for Hindus, and it is celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm across India and in other parts of the world with Hindu communities.

This year, the festival will be celebrated for two consecutive days, September 6 and 7, 2023.

Key aspects of Janmashtami Celebrations

• Fasting: Many devotees observe a day-long fast, which is broken only at midnight, the time believed to be when Lord Krishna was born. Some people may observe partial fasting, consuming only fruits, milk, and other non-grain foods.
• Midnight Celebration: The highlight of Janmashtami is the midnight celebration, during which devotional songs, prayers, and chants are performed. The birth of Lord Krishna is commemorated at this time with enthusiasm and devotion.
• Swings and Decorations: Many temples and homes are adorned with intricate decorations, especially depicting the life of Lord Krishna. In some places, swings are set up to symbolise Krishna's playful and youthful nature.
• Ras Leela Performances: In some regions, traditional dance dramas known as "Ras Leela" are performed, depicting various episodes from Krishna's life, especially his interactions with the Gopis (cowherd girls) of Vrindavan.
• Devotional Activities: Devotees engage in singing bhajans (devotional songs), reading from sacred texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana, and listening to discourses on the life and teachings of Lord Krishna.
• Feasting: After the midnight celebration, devotees break their fast and enjoy a grand feast, often consisting of a variety of sweets, savouries, and other traditional dishes.
• Dahi Handi: Any festival in India never misses its real essence which is having FUN! In some parts of India, particularly in Maharashtra, a fun and lively tradition known as "Dahi Handi" takes place. It involves forming human pyramids to break an earthen pot filled with curd (dahi), which is suspended at a height. This event commemorates Krishna's childhood habit of stealing butter.

Places you can visit to witness the real joy of Janmashtami

There are several places in India where Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm due to its association with Lord Krishna's life and legends. Here are some of the main places where Janmashtami is celebrated prominently:

• Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

Mathura is considered the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and Janmashtami celebrations here are especially grand. The Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura is a significant pilgrimage site where thousands of devotees gather to celebrate Janmashtami.

• Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

Vrindavan, located near Mathura, is closely associated with Krishna's childhood and youth. It is believed to be the place where Krishna spent most of his early years and performed his divine activities. The Banke Bihari Temple and the ISKCON temple in Vrindavan attract large crowds during Janmashtami.

• Barsana and Nandgaon, Uttar Pradesh 

These two villages near Mathura have unique ways of celebrating Janmashtami. In Barsana, the "Lathmar Holi" tradition involves women playfully hitting men with sticks, symbolizing Radha's playful teasing of Krishna. In Nandgaon, men from the village visit Barsana and are greeted by the women in a similar manner.

Trains to Mathura for Janmashtami

1. 13239 - PNBE KOTA EXP – Lucknow (LKO) to Mathura Jn (MTJ)
2. 20452 - NDLS SGAC SF EX – New Delhi (NDLS) to Mathura Jn (MTJ)
3. 12953 - AK TEJAS RAJ EX – Mumbai Central (MMCT) to Mathura Jn (MTJ)

• Nathdwara, Rajasthan

Nathdwara in Rajasthan is home to the Shrinathji Temple, dedicated to a specific form of Lord Krishna known as Shrinathji. The temple is renowned for its unique celebrations of Janmashtami.

Trains to Nathdwara for Janmashtami

1. 12963 - MEWAR EXPRESS – Delhi H Nizamuddin (NZM) to Mavli Jn (MVJ)
2. 12992 - JP UDZ EXP – Jaipur (JP) to Mavli Jn (MVJ)
3. 19316 - VIRBHUMI EXP – Asarva Jn (ASV) to Mavli Jn (MVJ)

• Dwarka, Gujarat

Dwarka, located in the state of Gujarat, is associated with Krishna's later life and rule as a king. The Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka is a major pilgrimage site where Janmashtami is celebrated with great fervor.

Trains to Dwarka for Janmashtami

1. 22945 - SAURASHTRA MAIL – Ahmedabad Jn (ADI) to Dwarka (DWK)
2. 22945 - SAURASHTRA MAIL – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Term (CSMT) Jn to Dwarka (DWK)

• ISKCON Temples, Mumbai

The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has temples around the world, and these temples are known for their elaborate Janmashtami celebrations. The ISKCON temple in Mumbai, also known as the "Hare Krishna Temple," is particularly famous for its Janmashtami festivities.

Trains to Mumbai for Janmashtami

1. 20902 - VANDE BHARAT EXP – Gandhinagar Capital (GNC) to Mumbai Central (MMCT)
2. 12702 - HUSSAIN SAGAR – Pune Jn (PUNE) to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Term (CSMT)
3. 12432 - TVC RAJDHANI – Delhi H Nizamuddin (NZM) to Vasai Road (BSR)

• Udupi, Karnataka

The Udupi Sri Krishna Matha in Karnataka is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is known for its distinctive celebrations of Janmashtami, including the 'Paryaya' tradition where the temple administration is handed over to different monastic orders.

Trains to Udupi for Janmashtami

1. 12618 - MNGLA LKSDP EXP – Kalyan Jn (KYN) to Udupi (UD)
2. 16515 - KARWAR EXPRESS – Yesvantpur Jn (YPR) to Udupi (UD)

• Puri, Odisha

The Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, also celebrates Janmashtami with devotion. Although the temple is mainly associated with Lord Jagannath, Krishna is also revered here.

Trains to Odisha for Janmashtami

1. 22895 - VANDE BHARAT EXP – Howrah Jn to Puri (PURI)

• Guruvayur, Kerala

The Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple in Kerala is a significant pilgrimage site for Krishna devotees in the southern part of India. Janmashtami is celebrated here with various rituals and festivities.

Trains to Guruvayur for Janmashtami

1. 16345 - NETRAVATI EXP – Lomanya Tilak Term (LTT) to Thrisur (TCR)
2. 12677 - ERNAKULAM EXP – Bengaluru City Jn (SBC) to Thrisur (TCR)

These are just a few examples, as Janmashtami is celebrated in numerous other places across India and in various communities worldwide where Lord Krishna is revered. No matter where you live in India, your favourite place of Lord Krishna is connected with Railways.