Gulfam Khan Hussain
Balgopal… The beautiful face, the innocent eyes, and a mouthful of stolen butter… The image is simply enchanting. It’s one of my most cherished memories. Growing up, we had neighbors from Uttar Pradesh, and the Panditji who visited their house would tell us childhood stories of Sri Krishna. I love the festive atmosphere, the positivity, and the lights. I usually visit the ISKCON Temple and the Radha Krishna Temple on Veera Desai Road.
Rinku Ghosh
The day is considered spiritually significant as Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated to honor his divine mission of eradicating evil and establishing dharma. As a child, and even today, we observe a fast until midnight, the time Krishna was born according to Hindu scriptures. We used to make a palna (cradle) for Nandlal (a loving name for baby Krishna) and prepare sweets or kheer for him. The next day, we celebrate Dahi Handi, a joyous occasion marking Krishna’s birth, by forming human pyramids or tall human towers to break the handi, symbolizing the pot of butter. As a child, I remember that the day before Janmashtami, boys would dress up as Krishna, and girls would dress up as Radha and go to school. My 9-year-old niece does the same today.
Hansa Singh
The best celebration I have witnessed as a child remains so fresh in my mind, and I wish to recreate it all on Janmashtami. My family hails from Mathura, and it’s all about Krishna, our beloved Laddu Gopal. We would stitch new clothes for him, decorate his jhoola (swing), and prepare all the delicacies with prasad of “Panjiri,” as we say, pakka khana: poori, sabzi, raita, and kheer… sigh. At midnight, we would all sit together and perform pooja to celebrate the birth of our Laddu Gopal, followed by a night filled with bhajans. This year, I will be with my family, so I will feel the same warmth and camaraderie, asking for his blessings as always.
Sherleen Dutt
As a child, Janmashtami was a day of excitement and joy. I loved helping my family decorate the puja room with flowers, rangolis, and little idols of Lord Krishna. Dressing up as Radha or Krishna, and participating in the Dahi Handi event, where we formed human pyramids to break a pot filled with curd, were highlights of the day. The celebrations ended with a special feast of Krishna’s favorite dishes prepared by my mother. As I’ve grown older, Janmashtami has become more intimate, often celebrated with close family or on my own. While the grand communal aspect has faded, the day remains special for reflection and reconnecting with my spiritual side. Despite the fast pace of modern life, these festivals still hold great relevance, reminding us to pause and focus on what truly matters.
Aadesh Chaudhary
As a child, Janmashtami was a day filled with joy and anticipation. I remember waking up early to help decorate the house with flowers, small idols of Lord Krishna, and tiny footprints symbolizing Krishna’s walk into our home. The highlight was participating in the midnight celebrations, where we sang bhajans, performed aarti, and broke the Dahi Handi, which was always a fun and spirited event. Regarding the relevance of festivals like Janmashtami in today’s busy world, I believe they still hold great importance. They offer a chance to pause, reflect, and connect with our cultural roots. While the way we celebrate may evolve, the values and teachings associated with these festivals continue to provide meaning and a sense of community. In a fast-paced world, these traditions remind us to slow down and appreciate the spiritual aspects of life.
Shubhangi Atre
One of my most cherished childhood memories is the Janmashtami celebration. My mother would dress me as Radha for my school’s Dahi Kala celebration in Indore. My father would take me to the famous Laxminarayan temple, also known as the Birla Temple or Krishna Parnami Temple, where the festival is celebrated on a grand scale for blessings. At home, we would paint tiny baby footprints on the floor to symbolize Baal Krishna’s steps. We would stay awake until midnight for the aarti and enjoy special sweets like makhan mishri, lauki ki barfi, makhana kheer, and many more, all lovingly prepared by my mother and grandmother to offer to Lord Krishna. My only wish for everyone this Janmashtami is that Lord Krishna brings happiness and peace to everyone’s life.
Manmohan Tiwari
I am from Rishikesh; I was born there. Rishikesh is a divine land where every festival, whether related to Lord Ram, Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu, or Lord Shiva, is celebrated on a grand scale. I was born in a temple, and my grandfather was the head priest. Our temple had special displays, and during my childhood, I often played the role of Lord Krishna, while my siblings took on various other roles. We have very fond memories of those times, and we always tried to quickly visit other temples to see their displays before participating on our own. Whenever we portrayed Lord Krishna or other children, we didn’t get the chance to see the displays at other temples because each temple had its own activities and events going on. There were always some wonderful displays and happenings. We used to go barefoot, as we didn’t wear slippers in Rishikesh during those days. These memories are excellent and connected us with our friends. All the friends and siblings would gather together to celebrate Janmashtami. At midnight, we would make an offering of panjiri, which we would then eat. These are beautiful memories. I believe that these days, many festivals are celebrated on Instagram, but I feel relieved that our devotion and faith haven’t diminished. Even if we go to the temple to take photos or make vlogs, I believe that God has created these mediums. Every medium is created by Him, so if, for any reason, we stay close to God, worship Him, meditate, and remember Him, I consider all these reasons to be good.
Shivangi Verma
As a child, Janmashtami was always a day filled with excitement and joy. We would set up a small cradle for baby Krishna and stay up late to celebrate his birth at midnight with bhajans and sweets. Being born on Janmashtami makes the day even more special for me—haha, my birthday and the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth add an extra layer of meaning.Even though our lives have become busier, I believe these festivals are still incredibly special. They bring us back to our roots, reminding us of the values and stories that shape our culture.
Rushad Rana
I have never really celebrated Janmashtami, but I don’t think the relevance of festivals is diminishing in our country. In fact, our country thrives on our festivals, and it will continue to do so. We should never lose touch with our roots, culture, and traditions, as they are what make India what it is.
