Significance

• Marks the appearance of Lord Krishna — the eighth avatar of Vishnu — in Mathura.
• Krishna's teachings in the Bhagavad Gita form one of the central scriptures of the Vaishnava tradition.
• Devotees keep a fast through the day and break it after midnight, the traditional hour of his birth.

Observances

• Fasting from sunrise; many take only fruits, milk, and water.
• Reading sections of the Bhagavata Purana — especially the tenth canto — through the day.
• Decorating the home shrine with fresh flowers, swings (jhoolas), and a small cradle for the infant Krishna.
• Singing bhajans and chanting Krishna's names — particularly Hare Krishna and Govinda mantras.

Home worship steps

1. 1Bathe and wear clean clothes; clean the home shrine area.
2. 2Light a lamp and offer flowers to Krishna's image or murti.
3. 3Recite the dhyana shlokas to Lord Krishna and offer water (arghya).
4. 4Read the chapters describing Krishna's birth from the Bhagavata Purana (10.3).
5. 5At midnight, perform the abhisheka (ritual bath) of the infant Krishna with milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar (panchamrita).
6. 6Offer fresh fruits and the traditional sweet preparations — especially butter and sugar — and distribute prasadam.

Mantra