Janmashtami in Vrindavan: what the midnight festival is like

Krishna was born at midnight on the eighth night of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada. The story says he was born in a prison cell in Mathura, and that same night his father Vasudeva carried him across the Yamuna to Nanda's house in Gokul.

In Vrindavan the temples are crowded all day. Many people fast and break it after the midnight aarti. The deity is dressed in new clothes, seated in a small swing and rocked, and offered makhan-mishri, milk sweets and fruit.

It is often said that the mangla aarti at Banke Bihari is held only once a year, on Janmashtami. Timings, queues and rules change from year to year, so ask the temple before you travel.

If you cannot be there

Most people cannot be in Vrindavan that day. They keep the birthday at home: a small decorated swing, an offering of makhan-mishri, a conch at midnight. Prasad that has come from Vrindavan, placed beside that offering, makes the day feel a little closer to the place. Order a few days before the festival, because delivery can take longer in those weeks.