In true festive spirits
Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar. We find out how artistes from film and television industries would be celebrating the festival today. Some also share their childhood memories about the sacred day.
In my childhood, we used to enjoy jhankis (tableau). About 10-15 of us would decorate jhankis by collecting money from the neighbourhood. I used to fast as well. I would be on fruits throughout the day, and at midnight we would open the fast. People would worship and offer money to God, which we, as kids, would then divide among ourselves. With time the tradition of making jhankis has diminished. This time, I have been invited to the ISKCON temple in Delhi as a chief guest as I am also a trustee there. I am so looking forward to it. Today, the significance of festivals is getting lost. — Rohit Choudhary
Bal Gopal... 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 neighbours from Uttar Pradesh, and the Panditji who visited their house would tell us childhood stories of Sri Krishna. I loved the festive atmosphere, the positivity, and the lights. I usually visit the ISKCON Temple and the Radha Krishna Temple on Veera Desai Road to revive the beautiful times. — Gulfam Khan Hussain
Past & present
The day is considered spiritually significant as Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated to honour 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, symbolising 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. — Rinku Ghosh
Prasad & pakka khana
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 Laddoo 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 Laddoo 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. — Hansa Singh
Dahi Handi’s huge fun
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. As I have grown older, Janmashtami has become more intimate, often celebrated with close family or on my own. — Sherleen Dutt
Connect to cultural roots
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 symbolising 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. Festivals today offer a chance to pause, reflect, and connect with our cultural roots. — Aadesh Chaudhary
Dressing up as Radha
One of my most cherished childhood memories is the Janmashtami celebration. My mother would dress me as Radha for my school’s celebration in Indore. My father would take me to the famous Birla Temple. We would stay awake until midnight for the aarti and enjoy special sweets like makhan mishri, lauki ki barfi and makhana kheer. — Shubhangi Atre
Faith gets a tech makeover
I am from Rishikesh, where every festival 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. I believe that these days, many festivals are celebrated on Instagram, but I feel relieved that our devotion and faith haven’t diminished. — Manmohan Tiwari
Sharing Krishna’s birthday
Being born on Janmashtami makes the day even more special for me. My birthday and the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth makes it a grand affair. Janmashtami was always a day filled with excitement and joy. We would set up a small cradle for baby Krishna . Even though our lives have become busier, I believe these festivals are still incredibly special. — Shivangi Verma
