Tips for Janmashtami Pooja Preparations - Akshara

Sharing her birthday with Lord Krishna, a happy and excited Gopi says, "I am lucky that I share my birthday with Kishanji. At home we follow all the rituals for the pooja, which starts early in the morning. We bathe Kishanji with the sacred Ganga jal and then adorn it with new clothes in bright colours of yellow, red and orange. We decorate these clothes with jewelry."

Adding to Gopi's tips, Kokila shares, "On the day of the pooja, we decorate the room where Shree Krishna's idol or image is kept. We use lots of flowers for the decorations. Colourful rangoli is drawn at the room's entrance and starting from the door of the house to the pooja room, we draw tiny feet marks using rangoli. This symbolizes the arrival of Kishanji in our home. We light tiny mud lamps in front of the main door and a small idol of baby Krishna is kept on a swing and cradle."

Akshara shares tips about the food prepared on Janmashtami. She says, "I am looking forward to this Janmashtami, as we all will celebrate it together. As soon as we complete Kishanji's pooja, we offer him 'bhog'. Normally, the bhog is made using milk or milk products. We make various sweets like laddoos, buttermilk, kheer, etc. Lots of milk-based products are made, as it is considered to be Kishanji's favorite food.

When contacted Khushi says, "During Krishna Janmashtami we light lots of diyas and illuminate our house. We sing the aarti and ring the bells. Every year I read out the 108 names of Kishanji. We make a grand meal that consists of 56 dishes. We call it Chappan Bhog. Some of us will fast during the pooja and will break the fast after the pooja by having 'panchamrit'.

Do share with us your tips for Janmashtami pooja preparations and let us know if these tips were beneficial to you.