Rituals on Janmashtami

Janmashtami - Rituals & Culture

On Janamashtmi, devotees keep daylong fasts and keep themselves awake while chanting 'bhajans', until midnight follows. Midnight is the moment when Lord Krishna was born. The prayer ceremony is a simple affair. The priests chant holy mantras and bathe the idol of Lord Krishna placed on a swing with Panchamrit made of milk, ghee (clarified butter), curd, honey and sugar from a conch shell and Ganga-jal (water from the holy Ganges River).

Midnight prayers amidst the sound of hymns and religious songs extol the greatness of Lord Krishna. Devotees break their day-long fast and chant - "Radhe Krishna, Hare Krishna, Radhe Radhe."