Top 7 Places to Celebrate Janmashtami in India Beyond Mathura and Vrindavan

Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Shri Krishna every year during the monsoon season. Since Shri Krishna was born in Mathura, the festival is celebrated with great fervor and zeal in Mathura and its neighborhood, Vrindavan. People from all around the world flock here to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth Avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Mathura is the birthplace of Shri Krishna, and Vrindavan is the place where he spent the formative years of his life. Hence, these are the significant places to celebrate Janmashtami in India. But due to the influx of devotees, the place becomes overcrowded during the festival. It raises safety concerns and can make your trip difficult. Hence, this year, head to some other notable places in India to celebrate Janmashtami.

Best Places to Celebrate Janmashtami in India

In this blog, we will see the top 7 places to celebrate Janmashtami in India with great zest and zeal:

Gokul, Uttar Pradesh

Gokul is a serene village situated on the banks of the Yamuna River in Uttar Pradesh near Mathura. This place is of great significance in Shri Krishna’s life. He spent his childhood in this serene village. It is associated with Krishna’s divine Leelas and his childhood stories. Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Gokulasthami. Gokul is one of the most sacred places to be during Janmashtami. Nand Mahal and Yashoda Mahal are adorned with beautiful flowers and lights. Devotees from all around the city and nearby states gather here to be a part of the festival ritual. On this occasion, devotees observe a fast and follow the significant customs to celebrate the festival.

Dwarka, Gujarat

One of the best places to celebrate Janmashtami in India is Dwarka. It is the place where Shri Krishna transitioned from a divine cowherd to a king. He ruled there for 36 years after the war of the Mahabharata. It is an ancient pilgrimage destination in India associated with lord Shri Krishna’s life.  During the festival, the entire city is decorated with lights and flowers. The celebration of Janmasthami is worth watching in the Dwarkadhish Temple in Dwarka. The festival includes the special rituals of Panchamrut Snan of Bal Gopal. Lord Krishna was born at midnight; hence, the festival is celebrated at midnight. In the daytime, the devotees celebrate the festival by playing a game called “Dahi Handi”, which is worth watching. You can experience the best of this holy city with a suitable Dwaraka tour package.

Mumbai, Maharashtra

Mumbai is one of the best places to celebrate in India. Every state or city has its unique way of celebrating a festival. Mumbai celebrates the occasion with Dahi Handi. Shri Krishna, fondly known as Makhanchor, had a fondness for butter and buttermilk. This is the reason people celebrate the festival with Dahi Handi to recreate Lord Krishna’s Bal Leela. It is the ritual, where an earthen pot, filled with yogurt, is hung high up in the air with a rope. Youths play the game to climb one over one as a team to form a human pyramid to break the pot. Every person and devotee of Shri Kishna must experience this unique way of Janmashtami celebration in Mumbai once in their lifetime.

Puri, Odisha

One of the most famous pilgrimage destinations in India and the most important part of the Char Dham Yatra, Puri is famous for the world’s largest chariot festival, Ratha Yatra. But it also has a captivating Janmashtami celebration to offer. The state worships Lord Jagannath, who is the incarnation of Lord Krishna. The devotees here celebrate the Krishna Janmashtami festival with fervor and zeal. The Odia culture with the mythology of Krishan gives one of its kind experiences to the devotees. Krishna Janmashtami celebration in Puri starts 17 days before Janmashtami. The temples are adorned with flowers and lights. Actors and artists enact episodes of Krishna’s life. Devotees here prepare a famous Prasad, called Jeuda Bhog for Shri Krishna.

Nathdwara, Rajasthan

Nathdwara in Rajasthan is famous for being the home to the revered Shrinathji Temple. The temple is dedicated to Srinathji, who is the child form of Lord Shree Krishna. It is one of the best places to celebrate Janmashtami in India, as the region celebrates the festival with great zest. Just imagine what else could be better than experiencing the grandeur of the royal state combined with the devotion of Janmashtami. The temple is decorated with lights and beautiful flowers, and special ceremonies are conducted to mark the day.

Udupi Karnataka

Udupi is one of the most famous pilgrimage destinations in South India. It has a deep connection with Lord Shri Krishna. The place is also famous for the Krishna Math and the celebration of Krishna Janmasthami or Gokulashtami. The Shri Krishna Math in Udupi marks the festival of Janmasthami with great fervor and zest. The devotees gather here from nearby states and participate in the rituals and cultural programs. You must visit Udupi to celebrate Janmashtami once in your lifetime. Along with the unmatched devotion, you will experience mouthwatering delicacies that make your visit truly memorable.

Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu

You may not know, but Tamil Nadu is the state where Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great fervor. And, Kumbakonam is the best place in the state, you must visit for the Janmashtami celebration, known as Krishna Jayanti. It observes the festival with traditional rituals and vibrant community celebrations. The entire city and the local temples are decorated with flowers and lights. Devotees gather to offer prayers, sing devotional hymns, and perform dances.

Krishna Janmashtami is one of the biggest festivals in India, celebrated by Hindus. Some cities celebrate it as a week-long festival, while some celebrate it on the same day. But the cities we discussed above are the top places to celebrate Janmashtami in India with great fervor and zeal. So, choose any of these places to embark on a spiritual journey and get ready to experience the magic of Krishna Janmashtami. If you need any assistance with pilgrimage tour packages in India to celebrate Janmashtami, contact us and get special Janmashtami tour packages to enjoy the lively festival energy.

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