On the occasion of Janmashtmi festival, devotees flocked temples across the national Capital to seek Lord Krishna’s blessing on his birth anniversary with prominent personalities like New Delhi BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj and Union Minister of States Harsh Malhotra paying their obeisance. The usually mundane Monday transformed into a day of joy and celebration amid tight security arrangements by police.

Devotees visited several temples in the city including at Laxmi Narayan Mandir in New Delhi, ISKCON Temple in East of Kailash, Dwarka Sector 13 and Rohini Sector 25, Janmashtmi Park in Punjabi Bagh, Adhya Katyani Shakti Peeth in Chhattarpur, Santoshi Mata Mandir in Hari Nagar, DDA Ground in Dwarka Sector 10, Golok Dham Temple in Dwarka Sector 10 and Gufawala Mandir in Preet Vihar.

The Birla Mandir in Gole Market was beautifully illuminated while witnessing devotees turning up in huge numbers since early morning to attend the Krishna Aarti. Similarly, the ISKCON temples across Delhi witnessed grand celebrations, drawing large crowds who came to mark the auspicious occasion.

Malhotra, who went to ISCKON Temple in Greater Kailash, took to X and said, “Heartiest greetings to all of you on Krishna Janmashtami. On this auspicious occasion, we had the great fortune of performing the Abhishekam of Lord Krishna, which was performed with great reverence and devotion at the ISKCON Temple, Greater Kailash.”

Swaraj, who also visited the temple in the morning, shared, “On the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, I had the good fortune of visiting the ISKCON temple in East of Kailash. The life of Lord Krishna shows us the true path of religion, karma, and service, which will always inspire us. It is my heartfelt wish that this festival may become a symbol of happiness, prosperity, peace and health for all of you.”

Director of ISKCON National Communication Vrajendra Nandan Das expressed his happiness on the overwhelming response. “Devotees have started arriving at the temple since early morning. More than one lakh devotees have offered prayers at the temple, and I am hopeful that the record of four lakh devotees will be broken. Many political leaders like Harsh Malhotra and Bansuri Swaraj have paid obeisance at the temple. I appeal to everyone to come in large numbers to offer prayers at the temple,” he said. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) Mayor Shelly Oberoi, was seen attending aarti at both the Birla Mandir and ISKCON temple. Speaking on the occasion, Oberoi said, “On the occasion of Janmashtami, we have come to offer prayers to Lord Krishna at the ISKCON temple in Dwarka. I extend best wishes to everyone on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. I wish that God’s blessings remain on everyone and that happiness and prosperity come to everyone’s home.”

In addition to the spiritual fervor at the temples, cultural events also played a significant role in the celebrations. At the Kamani Auditorium in Mandi House, the Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra hosted the 48th edition of its renowned dance drama, “KRISHNA.”

Another highlight of the celebrations was the ‘Matki Phod’ event held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium. The event featured a live performance by singer Padmashri Kailash Kher, whose soulful voice uplifted the festive spirit.