Midnight Janmashtami Celebrations



Janmashtami is generally celebrated over a period of two days. While some people celebrate it after midnight when the Lord is said to have been born, others celebrate the festival on the first day before midnight.

Janmashtami Midnight Celebration of Janmashtami
Lord Krishna is believed to have been born during midnight amidst heavy rains around 5000 years back in Dwapur Yug. The festivity of Janmashtami reaches its peak at this time. During midnight, Lord Krishna is welcomed by blowing of Shankh (conch), arti performed by pujari (brahmins) of the temple. The temple echos with slogans like 'Jai Shri Krishna'. Devotees shower flowers on the idol of Bhagwan Krishna. This is followed by the ceremony of giving holy bath to lord Krishna with Panchamrit- A mixture of gangajal, honey, sugar, ghee and curd. This mixture is later distributed as 'Prasad' among the devotees. Cleaning of the Lord, is followed by offering food to him. While some temples offer what is known as 'Chappan bhog' - an offering of 56 dishes to Lord Krishna, other temples offer as much as 108 dishes to Lord.

Rocking the Cradle
Rocking of Lord Krishna's cradle is another important ceremony of the midnight celebration. It is believed that anyone making a wish while rocking the cradle is granted it. Devotees pour in the temple from all over to welcome their beloved BalGopal. Birth of Lord Krishna takes place amidst singing of devotional songs in praise of the Lord. This continues for a period of 1-2 hours.

Devotees break fast after the midnight pooja is complete.