How to Enjoy Janmashtami Festivities

Commence fasting at dawn. Fasting plays a central role in Janmashtami festivities. Initiate your fast at dawn and abstain from consuming any food until midnight. While adhering to the fast, exceptions are typically made for children under seven and individuals with health concerns, who may consume water, fruits, and milk. However, the consumption of meat, grains, and alcohol is strictly prohibited during this auspicious fast.

Join in group devotional songs and chants. Participating in kirtan, the singing of devotional songs, is a key aspect of Janmashtami celebrations held in many temples. Sing along with others to praise Krishna and foster a sense of community.

• The Hare Krishna mantra is a popular chant often sung during Janmashtami.
• Engaging in kirtan fosters a strong sense of community among celebrants, making it a vital part of many temple celebrations.

Assist in decorating the temple with flower garlands and other adornments. Temples are adorned lavishly during Janmashtami to welcome Krishna and create a festive atmosphere. Contribute to the decoration efforts to partake in the religious and celebratory aspects of the festival.

• If you don’t regularly attend temple services, consider informing them of your intention to join the Janmashtami festivities.
• While flower garlands are common decorations, festoons of leaves and balloons are also used to adorn Hindu temples.

Engage in religious readings and dramatic enactments. Many temples structure their Janmashtami activities around passages from Hindu scriptures. Take the opportunity to read these texts aloud or witness dramatic performances based on them.

• Popular texts read or enacted during Janmashtami include the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana.

Participate in bathing and dressing the Krishna idol alongside other devotees. Cleaning and adorning the deity of Krishna is a significant ritual in many temples during Janmashtami. Join in this ceremonial process if you're unable to assist with temple decoration or scripture readings.

• The Krishna idol is bathed in various auspicious substances like fragrant water, milk, or honey.
• This ceremonial bathing is known as abhisheka.
• While there's no strict dress code for the Krishna idol, the attire should be vibrant and colorful.

Witness the midnight unveiling of the Krishna idol. At midnight, priests draw back the curtains to reveal the newly bathed and adorned deity of Krishna on its decorated altar. Attend this unveiling and participate in the subsequent kirtan, as it holds special significance.

• The unveiling occurs at midnight, symbolizing the believed time of Krishna's birth.

Contribute food offerings to the temple. Following the midnight unveiling of the Krishna deity, devotees break their fasts by sharing snacks and meals and offering food to the deity. Bring traditional Janmashtami snacks and dishes to participate in this significant conclusion to the festival.

• Examples of snacks include Sabudana Tikki, Roasted Makhana, Aloo Chaat, and Fruit Chaat.
• Traditional dishes such as Sabudana Thalipeeth, Singhare ki poori, Dahi aloo, and Samvat rice khichdi are consumed as the main meal during Janmashtami.

Observe fasting until midnight if feasible. Fasting is a key aspect of Janmashtami celebrations regardless of location. Commence fasting at dawn and abstain from food until midnight, with exceptions made for water, fruits, and milk if necessary.

• Elderly individuals and children under 8 years old are usually exempt from fasting.
• When hosting guests, encourage them to join in fasting as part of the celebration, but do not impose it as a requirement for participation. Remember, Janmashtami emphasizes love and inclusivity.
• If complete fasting is challenging, consume light meals throughout the day until midnight.

Prepare traditional foods for consumption and as offerings to Krishna. At midnight, devotees break their fasts and share traditional meals while also offering food to Krishna. Consider traditional snacks like Sabudana Tikki, Roasted Makhana, Aloo Chaat, and Fruit Chaat, as well as main dishes such as Sabudana Thalipeeth, Singhare ki poori, Dahi aloo, and Samvat rice khichdi.

• Each person can contribute a dish as an offering; there is no strict quantity guideline.

Adorn your home with garlands, balloons, and foliage. Invite friends to join in decorating your home to create a festive atmosphere for Janmashtami. These decorations will also welcome Krishna into your home at midnight.

• Place potted plants and floral arrangements around your home, especially near the idol of Krishna. Hang decorative light garlands and balloons, and drape festoons of leaves around windows and door frames.
• Flower garlands, balloons, and leafy decorations commonly adorn Hindu temples during Janmashtami and are suitable for home decor as well.

Watch live webcasts of Janmashtami temple ceremonies. Numerous temples worldwide stream their celebrations online for those unable to attend in person. Tune in to these broadcasts and, if willing, participate in the communal singing and chanting.

• Commonly sung songs are from the Vaishnava tradition, but observing is also acceptable if you prefer not to sing.

Dress your kids as Krishna. In some regions of India, Janmashtami festivities include children dressing as Lord Krishna and visiting friends and family. Enhance the experience with a dhoti, crown, and other accessories for a more enjoyable celebration!

• Yellow is a popular color for the dhoti, though any vibrant color like bright blue or red works well.
• Add accessories like a peacock feather crown, waistband, arm band, and lightweight jewelry for extra flair.

Join local festivals and events. If you can’t attend a temple, participating in a nearby festival or parade is a fantastic alternative for celebrating Janmashtami. Look for events in your area and consider taking your family for a memorable experience.

• These events often feature markets selling sweets and decorations, along with reenactments commonly seen in temples.
• Janmashtami festivals are perfect occasions for dressing up your children as Krishna and receiving compliments on their attire!

Bathe and dress your Krishna idols. For those with Krishna deities at home, bathing and adorning them in new attire is a significant Janmashtami tradition. Invite guests to join in bathing the deities with fragrant water and dressing them in fresh garments as part of the festivities.

• If fragrant water isn’t available, milk or honey can be used for the deity’s bath.
• This ritual of bathing and dressing the Krishna idol is known as the abhisheka.
• Use colorful clothing of any fabric to dress the Krishna idol.

Conduct a midnight worship ceremony. At midnight, initiate a worship ceremony to honor Krishna and welcome the deity into your home. Include devotional singing (kirtan) and ceremonial items like conch shells and incense if you have them.

• Ceremonial items aren’t mandatory for a meaningful worship; the sincerity of your offering matters most.

• Some cities organize parades in honor of Janmashtami. Check if there’s one scheduled in your area and contemplate joining.