PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
With Janmashtami just two days away, temples and markets across Dehradun have begun taking on a festive look, with preparations underway for midnight celebrations marking the birth of Lord Krishna. Temples are being decorated with flowers and lights, while the temple committees are busy with the arrangements for puja, kirtan, jhankis and bhandaras to mark the auspicious occasion.
Markets have also started witnessing increased demand for Krishna idols, colourful clothes, mukuts, jewellery and sweets. Significantly, for many youngsters, temple visits remain an important part of the celebration. Rohan Singh said that he plans to visit ISKCON Dehradun on Janmashtami night. “I usually visit ISKCON at night to celebrate Janmashtami. The midnight celebrations and festive atmosphere in the shrine make the occasion very special,” he said.
Pandit Kamlesh said that several religious programmes would be organised on September 4. “Puja and kirtan will be organised during the day, followed by a jhanki in the evening and bhandara. Devotees will gather at night to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna and take part in the midnight festivities,” he said.
For older residents, Janmashtami also brings memories of a time when celebrations were more community-driven. An elderly resident Krishna Devi recalled that preparations in villages and neighbourhoods used to begin more than a week before the festival. “Earlier, preparations would begin 10 to 11 days before Janmashtami in villages and neighbourhoods. Boys and girls would dress up as Radha and Krishna, while people organised dancing, singing, Dahi Handi and bhandaras. Almost every lane and mohalla would have its own celebration,” she said.
She further said that the manner of celebrating the festival has changed over the years, but its spirit remains intact. “Now families decorate their homes, dress Krishna idols in new clothes, perform puja and prepare prasad. Celebrations are still very beautiful, but people now also celebrate at home and visit bigger temples for special programmes,” she said.
