New Delhi (Agency): In September 7, 2023, the city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, India, buzzed with spiritual energy as thousands gathered to celebrate Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Unlike other places where festivities reach their peak at midnight, three prominent temples in Mathura held the “abhishek” (sacred bathing) ceremony during the daytime, a practice tracing back to ancient traditions.
The “abhishek” ceremonies took place at the Radha Raman, Radha Damodar, and Gokulanand temples, located in Krishna’s birthplace of Mathura. Balram Goswami, the priest at Radha Damodar temple, shared that this unique timing aligns with a 500-year-old tradition initiated by the revered seer Jeev Goswami. The Shahji temple in Vrindavan also joined in the morning festivities, adhering to similar ancient customs.
In these ceremonies, the deity of Lord Krishna was bathed in “charnamrit,” a holy mixture of milk, curd, ghee, sugar, honey, and herbs. This was then distributed among the devoted attendees. “The charnamrit of the ceremony was distributed among the devotees,” confirmed the priests.
The day began with the auspicious sounds of shehnai and conch shells at the Srikrishna Janmabhumi, the supposed birthplace of Lord Krishna. Pilgrims and devotees thronged the Bhagwat Bhavan temple and other sacred spots around the Srikrishna Janmasthan to pay their respects. Kapil Sharma, secretary of the Srikrishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, recounted the day’s activities, which included drum beats and the “abhishek” ceremony.
The event also featured a grand procession through Mathura’s main streets, headed by Shailjakant Mishra, vice-president of the Uttar Pradesh Vraj Tirth Vikas Parishad. It received an enthusiastic welcome from the crowds. Cultural programs related to Janmashtami were also performed at different city intersections.
In Mathura, Janmashtami is not just a local affair. “It is invigorating to witness the Janmashtami celebrations in Mathura. One cannot experience this anywhere else,” said Bimalendra Mishra, a visitor from Lakhimpur Kheri. Foreign devotees also marked their presence, especially at the ISKCON and Radha Damodar temples in Vrindavan. Panchagoda Prabhu, president of the Krishna Balaram temple (ISKCON, Vrindavan), stated that “hundreds of devotees from different countries paid obeisance to the temple deity.”