September 17, 2026 11:49 pm (IST)
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PM, VP greet nation on Janmashtami
New Delhi, Aug 17 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted the nation on the occasion of Janmashtami, which marks Lord Krishna's birthday.
"Greetings on Janmashtami! May Lord Krishna bless our lives with peace, prosperity and happiness," the Prime Minister said in his message.
Vice President M. Hamid Ansari also conveyed his warm greetings and good wishes to the citizens of the country on the joyous occasion.
In his message, he has said that Lord Krishna’s message of performing our duties with sincerity and devotion, without attachment to the results of our actions, remains a pertinent principle for salvation of humanity.
“I convey my warm greetings and good wishes to the citizens of our country on the joyous occasion of Janmashtami, marking the birthday of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna’s message of performing our duties with sincerity and devotion, without attachment to the results of our actions, remains a pertinent principle for salvation of humanity," he said.
"On this auspicious day, let us resolve to rededicate ourselves to the teachings of Lord Krishna in order to build a peaceful, enlightened and just society," Ansari said.
Mathura along with the whole nation will observe 'Janmashtami' for two days which commences on Sunday and will be continued till Monday morning.
Thousands of devotees are flocking to Mathura for offering prayers.
Heavy security arrangements are put up in the temples premises in Mathura to maintain a strict vigil.
Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the 'Ashtami tithi', the eighth day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada in the Hindu calendar.
The festival is generally celebrated between mid-Aug to mid-Sep in the Gregorian calendar. This year the Janmashtami tithi (timing) begins on 5.55 pm on Sunday7 and ends on 6.06 am on Monday.
In areas like Mathura and Vrindavan the dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna are performed. This life cycle of Krishna is known as 'Rasa lila'.
Known for his love for 'dahi' (curd), the 'dahi handi' event is popularly followed in Indian state of Maharashtra.
Teams of young men form human pyramid to reach the pot of butter that is hung high up and then break it into pieces. Although reports of injury are quite common the spirit of the festival makes people commit this ritual quite happily.
This tradition, also known as 'uriadi', is a major event in Tamil Nadu on 'Gokulashtami'.
In Kolkata the festival of 'Janmashtami' is celebrated with great fun and mirth.
In households the deity is worshiped by the family members and special bhog (food) which contains payesh (a special porridge made out of milk and rice) ,'malpoa' and 'tal bora' (sweets) is offered to the god.
In the temples special 'kirtan' (prayer) is performed every year on this date.
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