Also known as ‘Gokul Ashtami’, Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, it is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada on Ashtami or the eighth day of the Krishnapaksha. 

The origins of Janmashtami transcend ancient times. Born in Mathura over 5000 years ago, Lord Krishna's birth is celebrated on Janmashtami. The festival has been celebrated for centuries and finds its references in ancient texts like Bhagvata Purana, Vishnu Purana, and Harivamsa. These texts tell stories of Lord Krishna's birth, early life, phenomenal deeds, and triumph over evil forces.

The story of Lord Krishna is considered to be a tale of divine intervention and miracles. As per mythology, Lord Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva, who were imprisoned by Devki’s brother, Kansa, as he was told that Devki‘s eighth son would be his destroyer. By imprisoning Devki and Vasudeva, Kansa managed to kill their first six children. However, due to divine intervention, their seventh child, Balarama, was transferred to the womb of Vasudev‘s other wife, Rohini. On the night of Lord Krishna‘s birth, the prison guards fell asleep, and the prison gates were opened miraculously. Taking advantage of the situation, Vasudeva carried newborn Krishna across the Yamuna River to where his family stayed in Gokul. There, he was safely handed over to Nanda and Yashoda to be taken care of. It was in Gokul where most of the stories of the mischief of Lord Krishna took place. 

Lord Krishna is considered the protector of dharma or righteousness and the destroyer of evil. One of the most important spiritual and philosophical texts in Hinduism is the Bhagavad Gita, which is believed to be the dialogue between Lord Krishna and Prince Arjuna during the epic Mahabharata. The Bhagavad Gita is said to contain Lord Krishna's teachings on devotion, righteousness, and duty and still inspires millions of people. 

On this day, people gather together to celebrate Lord Krishna‘s life by depicting it in various art forms, such as classical dance performances of Bharatanatyam and Kathak and dramas. The significance of Janmashtami lies not just in celebrating the birth of a deity, but also in embracing Lord Krishna's teachings of love, devotion, and righteousness.

The rituals and customs for the celebrations of Janmashtami begin a day before as devotees observe a strict fast (Ekadashi Fast) and take part in jaagarans throughout the night. As they observe a fast, they avoid consuming grains and other foods. They break the fast at midnight, which is known as the time of Krishna‘s birth. At midnight, an aarti is performed in homes where the idol of baby Krishna is bathed in a holy mixture called panchamrit made up of five divine ingredients: ghee, curd, milk, honey, and sugar. Families decorate the idol of Lord Krishna and swing it in a ritualistic manner called Jhulan Utsav to seek his blessings. 

Across the country, Dahi Handi is celebrated to worship Lord Krishna. It is an event which gathers communities and people from all walks of life to create a human pyramid as they stand on top of one another to break a pot which is hung overhead at a height filled with curd, milk, and butter that symbolises Lord Krishna’s love for Makhan. Preparations for this event begin months in advance as the people who the human pyramid practice this act to avoid fatalities. In many communities, this event is also considered a competition as different groups compete against one another to break the handi in one try and win prize money. 

The celebrations in Mathura, also the birthplace of Krishna, is the epicentre of the festival of Janmashtami. The landscapes of Mathura and Vrindavan come alive with numerous processions, with people singing devotional songs and reenacting elements of Lord Krishna’s life as they move through the place towards the temples. All the temples in Mathura and Vrindavan are extravagantly decorated as thousands of devotees from all over India and beyond gather to offer their prayers and seek blessings. 

Dahi Handi is the core of Janmashtami celebrations in Mumbai and Pune as these groups of young men, who also called themselves Govindas participate in the competitive celebration. Gujarat also sees impressive celebrations, especially in Dwarka, where Lord Krishna is believed to have established his kingdom. The focal point of the celebrations in Dwarka is at the Dwarkadish temple, where people come together to celebrate the festival of Janmashtami with extensive rituals, nights full of bhajans and a well-known midnight aarti. Rajasthan celebrates Janmashtami as people gather to witness performances of Rasleela and classical Indian dances. Temples, particularly in Jaipur and Nathdwara, are exquisitely decorated. 

In southern states of India, like Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu, Janmashtami is celebrated as people decorate their homes with Kolams and temples and organise cultural programs and special pujas. Across India, Janmashtami is observed with great zeal and enthusiasm at ISKCON temples, where they organise kirtan rituals based on Lord Krishna’s teachings.

Men and women gather together in great fervour on Janmashtami to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. Their traditional attire reflects this fervour and illustrates stories of India's festive spirit and cultural heritage. 

Women particularly celebrate enthusiastically as they pray and worship the Lord Krishna out of love and passion. The most common attire worn across the country by women as they celebrate Janmashtami is the quintessential saree, which is a long piece of fabric draped elegantly around the body and typically measures from 5 to 9 yards in length. Women prefer wearing sarees with design details like intricate embroidery, zari work, and luxurious weaves. The sarees are usually made of Banarasi and Kanjivaram silks, cotton, and chiffon. They are usually in yellow, red, and green colours. 

Younger girls also wear the Lehenga Choli. It is an ensemble consisting of a long skirt, also called the lehenga, a fitted blouse known as the choli, and a dupatta draped over the shoulder. It is particularly preferred for its regal and festival appearance while ensuring utmost comfort. The lehenga is decorated with detailed embroidery, sequence, and mirror work, all manifested in motifs of traditional symbols and floral patterns. Women prefer yellow as it is associated with Lord Krishna and combine the colour palette with other bright colours to create a balanced contrast. Lehengas are usually made of silk, velvet and georgette, which offer a rich appearance and texture.

Many communities also wear the salwar kameez, an outfit with a long tunic, also known as the kameez, and is paired with loose-fitted trousers called the salwar. They are usually embellished with traditional embroidery techniques like Chikankari and Gota Patti. The motifs of these traditional outfits are highly inspired by nature and mythology. They feature designs of peacocks, which symbolise grace, and floral patterns, which represent prosperity and growth. In regions of Gujarat, women are seen wearing sarees, and lehengas are made of traditional tie-dye techniques like Bandhani and Leheriya.

Men are usually seen wearing a dhoti kurta. A dhoti is a rectangular piece of cloth that is around 4 to 6 feet long and wrapped around one waist and legs. They are usually plain and light-coloured with a distinctive gold border. Kurta is designed with intricate embroidery and motifs like floral patterns and geometric designs. Lightweight cotton and silk are preferred for Dhoti due to their durability, sheen and comfort.

During the midnight aarti, men are also seen wearing a Sherwani, which is paired with fitted trousers called churidars or pyjamas. They are heavily embellished with Zari work, intricate embroidery like Chikankari, and often even semi-precious stones. They are found in deep colours such as navy blue, gold, and maroon, which signify grandeur and affluence. In certain central and northern states, men are also seen wearing the Nehru jacket, a hip-length coat with a mandarin collar worn over a Kurta pyjama. They are usually found in colours like black, beige, and navy and are made of exquisite fabrics like linen, brocade, and silk that enhance one’s appearance.