How to Do Janmashtami Pooja?

Janmashtami is an important festival as per the Hindu culture. Lord Krishna is worshiped on this day. Find out how to do the Janmashtami Pooja right away.Janmashtami is the day to celebrate birthday of Lord Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna was born at midnight. Devotees of Krishna enjoy this wonderful occasion and celebrate it by doing a special Janmashtami Pooja.Krishna was a Supreme Soul born to show people the right path. He was a God who took birth as a human being. He is the speaker of the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ which is the holy book for Hindus. There is great joy for people to perform the Janmashtami Pooja. In this articleDecorating your HouseSinging Bhajans and ChantingJanmashtami Pooja in Northern IndiaJanmashtami Pooja in Southern IndiaJanmashtami FastTemple Celebrations for JanmashtamiGeneral Janmashtami CelebrationsSteps for Doing Janmashtami PoojaHave a quick look at the steps for performing Pooja on the occasion of Janmashtami.Decorating your HouseOne can decorate the house and make it beautiful as though you are preparing it for the God. Little ones can be dressed as Krishna. You can make garlands and hang torans on the front door. People who have a Krishna statue at home adorn the statue with new clothes and new jewellery. Incense sticks are burnt and rangolis are drawn. People decorate the Pooja room at home.Singing Bhajans and ChantingDevotees of Lord Krishna like to sing bhajans. You can sing Lord Krishna’s favourite bhajans in various languages. There are many bhajans which you can learn even if you have not sung them before. You can chant the mantras of the Lord Krishna at home. Some religious people recite the ‘Bhagavad Gita.’Janmashtami Pooja in Northern IndiaAs a symbolic gesture signifying Krishna’s birth, people put a small idol or photo of Lord Krishna on the cradle and perform ‘aarti’ at midnight. They bathe the idol of Lord Krishna in milk. Lord Krishna was born in Mathura which is in North India hence Janmashtami is celebrated with great fervour and gaiety in various parts of North India. On the second day, people celebrate ‘Dahi Handi.’Janmashtami Pooja in Southern IndiaPeople draw small footsteps of Lord Krishna’s feet as though they are welcoming him home. The footsteps are drawn right upto the altar or main idol. They prepare sweets which Krishna loves and also make butter because he was very fond of butter. This festival is also known as ‘Sri Krishna Jayanti’ or ‘Gokulashtami’ in South India.Janmashtami FastMany people fast on the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. They eat fruits or drink only water. A 24 hour fast is generally observed. They break the fast at the stroke of midnight after praying to Lord Krishna and doing the aarti. Sweets are distributed as ‘prasad’ after the fast is broken. Sweets supply glucose to the body which is good because people are often tired after fasting for the whole day.Temple Celebrations for JanmashtamiFifty-six or hundred and eight dishes are prepared and offered to Lord Krishna in the temple. A ‘Kalash Abhishek’ is offered to the God. Milk, honey, tender coconut water, etc can be used to perform the abhishek to God. Some people put dahi also.A Maha-abhishek is organized at midnight in big temples and Prasad is distributed. Many temples are open till 12:00 am when the final pooja is done. There is often a long queue at temples where Janmashtami celebrations are held.General Janmashtami CelebrationsPeople sing kirtans in praise of God. Devotees are immersed in singing bhajans and glories of the Lord. People wait eagerly till the stroke of midnight for the auspicious time of his birth. Krishna loved music and dance hence people sing and watch ‘Ras Leela.’ You should imagine that Krishna is right there in your home and offer his favourite food items. Even those who are unable to visit the temple, can pray from home or offer something simple to the God.Janmashtami celebrations are held in various parts of India and even abroad. Followers of Krishna like to take part in celebrations which are held by temples or organizations. Those who cannot perform an elaborate pooja can offer something simple to the Lord because it is said that Lord Krishna will accept even a leaf, flower, fruit or water if it is offered with love.What are the ways to perform Janmashtami Pooja? Who can do Janmashtami Pooja? What are the benefits of doing Pooja and observing fast on the day of Janmashtami? Discuss here.