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Odisha Celebrates Janmashtami with Vibrant Rituals and Devotional Fervor
16 Aug
Summary
- Devotees thronged temples across Odisha to mark Krishna's birth
- Puri's Jagannath Temple hosted unique enactments of the nativity
- Iskcon Temple in Bhubaneswar held midnight Maha Arti and bhajans
On August 16, 2025, Odisha celebrated Janmashtami, the festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna, with great fervor and devotion. Devotees flocked to several important religious sites, including the Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Iskcon Temple in Bhubaneswar, to participate in the festivities.
At the Jagannath Temple in Puri, the celebrations were unique, with symbolic enactments of Krishna's birth, "sandhya dhupa," and the placement of Lord Madan Mohan in a chariot near the prayer hall. The rituals included dramatic portrayals of Krishna's nativity and the distribution of special prasad. A devotee, Bidhan Kumar, expressed his blessing at witnessing such a celebration for the first time.
Meanwhile, the Iskcon Temple in Bhubaneswar hosted a midnight Maha Arti, bhajans, and devotional gatherings that were attended by thousands of devotees. Srimayee Jena, a regular at the Iskcon Temple, shared her divine feeling in celebrating Janmashtami there every year.
Across Odisha, devotees gathered at temples and homes to perform puja at midnight, the believed time of Krishna's birth. Many observed fasts, either "nirjala" (without water) or "phalahar" (fruits and milk only), while others participated in devotional songs and dances honoring Krishna's divine nature. In temples and homes, baby Krishna idols were bathed in "panchamrit," dressed in new clothes, and placed in cradles.
