Ahmedabad : Hare Krishna Mandir, Bhadaj, under the Hare Krishna Movement Ahmedabad, celebrated Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2026 with grandeur and devotion on Friday, September 4, drawing a large number of devotees for a day-long celebration dedicated to Lord Krishna.
The festivities featured Maha Abhishekam, Jhulan Utsav, Maha Arati, Krishna bhajans, Sri Krishna Sankirtan Concert, Swarna Ratha Utsav and several cultural and devotional programmes, creating a vibrant spiritual atmosphere at the temple.
Devotional Music and Cultural Celebrations
Krishna bhajans by various artists continued throughout the day, from 9:00 am until midnight. A special Sri Krishna Sankirtan Concert by Sri Nandlal Chhanga and his team commenced at 10:00 pm, adding to the devotional fervour of the celebrations. One of the major highlights was the elaborate Vishesha Janmashtami Alankara of Sri Sri Radha Madhav. The deities were adorned in specially designed pure silk outfits, complemented by jewellery crafted with precious and valuable stones. The temple was also decorated with fragrant and colourful flowers sourced from different parts of India.
1008 Food Offerings and 151-Kg Vegetarian Cake
As part of the Janmashtami celebrations, more than 1008 varieties of food preparations, including sweets, milk-based delicacies and farsan, were offered to Lord Krishna and subsequently distributed among devotees as prasadam. A special 151-kg pure vegetarian cake was also offered to Lord Krishna. Visitors were served farali Krishna prasadam during the festival.
Maha Abhishekam and Midnight Maha Arati
The temple conducted an elaborate Maha Abhishekam of Sri Sri Radha Madhav with a range of auspicious ingredients, including panchgavya, medicinal herbs, fruit juices and flowers. A special feature of the ceremony was the bathing of the deities with 108 kalashas of water collected from seven holy rivers. At midnight, a grand Maha Arati accompanied by Sankirtan marked the celebration of Lord Krishna’s appearance. Jhulan, or Hindola Seva, was also offered to Lord Krishna throughout the day.
21 Lakh Names of Sri Krishna Chanted for Peace and Prosperity
In a special devotional initiative, devotees took a vow to chant 21 lakh names of Sri Krishna as an offering, praying for peace and prosperity across the world. Visitors to the temple enthusiastically participated in the Japa Yagna. The celebrations continued on September 5 with Nandotsav and Vyasa Puja Mahotsav, commemorating the appearance day of Acharya Srila Prabhupada, which falls on the day following Janmashtami. Among the prominent visitors were Dr. Pradyuman Vaja, Education Minister, Gujarat, and Shri Anupam Singh Gehlot, Commissioner of Police, Ahmedabad, who visited the temple with their families, participated in the festivities and sought the blessings of Lord Krishna.
The grand celebrations at Hare Krishna Mandir, Bhadaj brought together devotion, music, traditional rituals and community participation, making Sri Krishna Janmashtami 2026 a memorable spiritual occasion for devotees in Ahmedabad.