Rahul Gandhi Extends Janmashtami Greetings As Devotees Celebrate Krishna’s Birth Across India

September 4, 2026

New Delhi: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi extended greetings to people on Friday on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, wishing that the festival brings joy and happiness to everyone’s life.

Rahul Gandhi shared his message on X, saying, “Heartfelt greetings and congratulations to all on Shri Krishna Janmashtami. I hope this festival fills your life with joy and delight.”

His greetings came as devotees across the country gathered at temples and religious centres to mark the birth of Lord Krishna with prayers, rituals and midnight celebrations.

श्रीकृष्ण जन्माष्टमी की आप सभी को हार्दिक शुभकामनाएं और बधाई।

आशा करता हूं कि यह पर्व आपके जीवन को हर्ष और उल्लास से भर दे। pic.twitter.com/pdTM9pat5G

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 4, 2026

Janmashtami celebrations in Ayodhya and Mathura

In Ayodhya, preparations were underway for the traditional midnight celebrations marking Lord Krishna’s birth.

Mahant Kamal Nayan Das Maharaj, successor to Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust Chairman Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, said Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year in the city.

Meanwhile, Mahamandleshwar Vishnu Das Maharaj spoke about developments in Mathura and urged political leaders to visit the holy city and seek Lord Krishna’s blessings on Janmashtami.

Mathura witnessed a devotional atmosphere as devotees gathered at temples, including the Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple, where special prayers and Mangala Aarti were held. Devotees also participated in celebrations and expressed their devotion through singing and dancing.

PM Modi, Dharmendra Pradhan extend greetings

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended Janmashtami greetings and highlighted the relevance of Lord Krishna’s teachings on selfless action.

In a post on X, Modi said the festival should bring positive energy and strength into people’s lives and concluded his message with “Jai Shri Krishna”.

In Odisha, Union Minister and BJP MP Dharmendra Pradhan offered prayers at the Shri Jagannath Temple in Puri on the occasion. He prayed for the welfare of the world, the prosperity of the country and greater spirituality and devotion among people.

Devotees celebrate Janmashtami across India

In Kerala, devotees visited the historic Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple, where pilgrims participated in the religious celebrations and praised the spiritual atmosphere.

In Delhi, large numbers of devotees gathered at ISKCON temples in East of Kailash and Dwarka Sector 13 for Mangla Aarti and special prayers.

Across the country, temples were decorated and devotees participated in prayers and religious ceremonies ahead of the midnight celebrations traditionally associated with the birth of Lord Krishna.

Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, marks the birth of Lord Krishna, regarded in Hindu tradition as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The festival is observed on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha, or dark fortnight, of the month of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu luni-solar calendar.