Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. The significance of Janmashtami is seen throughout India in many different festivities. The devotees observe this festival by bathing the idol of Lord Krishna, putting on new clothes for the idol and then putting it on the swing. They stay up till midnight to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna, singing bhajans and performing Ras Leela.

The next day there is a ‘Dahi Handi’ event. In this event, a pot (Handi) of sweet curd (Dahi) is hung at the crossroads. People come in hundreds to form a pyramid to break the Handi and eat the curd as Prashadam. This is of the utmost significance as Lord Krishna’s fable stories reveal Krishna used to steal Dahi from his neighbour’s home. Therefore, the followers of this deity consider it auspicious.

People roam around the town in the outfits of Lord Krishna. The enthusiasm and excitement that people have for the festival is something to be experienced. It falls in August or September each year, and it is the right time to take a trip to one of the most celebrated Janmashtami spots. These cities have a wide range of family suites and hotels where you can stay and enjoy this festival.

Let’s look at some of the well-known places to go to celebrate Janmashtami:

1. Mathura

Known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura is one of the most popular places to celebrate Janmashtami. The celebration here takes place in two parts: Jhulotsav and Ghatas. During these celebrations, people put the idol of their Lord Krishna in their homes and bathe it with milk, honey, curd, and ghee. They dress their idol in new outfits and wait till midnight to swing them.

Ras Leela is also a famous drama that shows the life stages of Lord Krishna. This happens in the villages and crossroads in Mathura. There are family hotels in Mathura where you can stay and enjoy the festivities.

2. Vrindavan

Vrindavan is where Lord Krishna was raised, and he spent the years of his youth there. It is primarily known for the Rasa Lord Krishna performed with Radha and Gopis here. There are numbered family hotels in Vrindavan where you can stay to enjoy Janmashtami like no other place.

3. Gokul

Vasudeva took Lord Krishna here right after his birth to Nand Baba and Yashodha; hence, the place has a pivotal significance in celebrating Janmashtami. Here people chant mantras, sing bhajans, say Krishna spells till midnight, and celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

4. Dwarka

Dwarka was considered the ruling city of Lord Krishna. He lived here for 5000 years; hence, they celebrate the festival with lights, Garba, and Mangala Aarti.

5. Mayapur

Travel to Mayapur during Janmashtami to see the festival done by ISKON temple. The temple is illuminated with lights, and there is a 52-course feast with all sorts of mithai prepared for the deity.

6. Mumbai

The streets of Mumbai are known for the ‘Dahi Handi’ festival. You can go to some of the hotspots in the city to witness this charitable event. People dress up as Lord Krishna and break handis for Dahi. It is truly a sight to behold.

7. Udupi

This south Indian state worships Lord Krishna and celebrates Janmashtami with lights on temples, chants to the Lord, and staying up till midnight to swing the Lord’s baby idol. They carry clay idols of Lord Krishna in the procession during the day.

There are many family resorts nearby where you can stay to see this cultural celebration.

8. Imphal

Janmashtami is celebrated in the far corners of the east with unique ways of doing it. In Imphal, Shri Govindajee and ISKCON temples are decorated with flowers, and idols are adorned with beautiful outfits. People visit to witness the grandeur and perform Ras Leela to pay respect to God.

9. Nathdwara

Considered the primary temple of all Krishna followers, a Gujarati and Rajasthani crowd is found in hundreds to celebrate Janmashtami. People offer 52-course feasts, chant mantras, and swing the Lord at midnight to celebrate Janmashtami.

Book a decent family suite in a hotel like OYO 25008 Shree Ji Resort and enjoy a comfortable stay.

To sum up,

Janmashtami is a national festival. Each city in India celebrates Janmashtami in its unique way. If you want to witness this, take a trip around the towns and enjoy the food and festivities. You’ll quickly find family resorts in each of these cities.

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