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Srinagar streets glow with devotion as Janmashtami jhanki procession brings Krishna’s story alive
Srinagar: The streets of this summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir echoed with chants of Lord Krishna as devotees marked Janmashtami with traditional fervour, colourful tableaux and a historic jhanki procession that showcased the city’s deep-rooted cultural traditions.
The annual celebration from Ganpatyar Temple in Habba Kadal to Lal Chowk once again highlighted Kashmir’s unique spiritual identity, where centuries-old customs blend devotion, music and community participation.
The festival was not just a religious celebration but also a reflection of Kashmir’s diverse cultural landscape, where Janmashtami carries traditions that are distinct from many other parts of India.
The Janmashtami celebrations in Srinagar featured devotional programmes filled with bhajans, kirtans, chanting and beautifully designed tableaux depicting different phases of Lord Krishna’s life.
The traditional jhanki procession attracted devotees who participated with faith and enthusiasm, carrying forward a legacy that has remained an important part of Kashmir’s cultural fabric.
The journey from Ganpatyar Temple in Habba Kadal to Lal Chowk has become a symbol of continuity, connecting generations through shared devotion and heritage.
In the Kashmir Valley, Janmashtami is known among native Kashmiri Pandits as Zaram Satam, or Janam Saptami. Unlike celebrations in many other regions, Kashmir’s traditions carry a distinct local flavour. Devotees observe fasts throughout the day and gather at Thokur Kuth, household or community Krishna shrines, around midnight for special prayers and abhishek rituals.
The midnight celebrations mark the divine birth of Lord Krishna, with devotees performing rituals and offering prayers in an atmosphere filled with spiritual devotion.
The festival in Kashmir also reflects the region’s unique culinary traditions. During fasting, devotees prepare traditional offerings including gaer and singhada lapsi made from water chestnut flour, along with dry fruits and fresh fruits. These traditional dishes are not merely part of the festival meal but represent the connection between faith, culture and local heritage.
Adding another historic dimension to Janmashtami celebrations, community groups in Srinagar have revived traditional evening rituals along the banks of the Jhelum River.
During the special puja, devotees float earthen lamps, known as deepadan, on the river waters at dusk while devotional music from boats creates a spiritually charged atmosphere. The sight of illuminated lamps flowing across the Jhelum has become a powerful symbol of Kashmir’s cultural revival and spiritual traditions.
While the Kashmir Valley follows its own unique traditions, the Jammu region celebrates Janmashtami through the vibrant customs of Duggar culture.
On the festival day, rooftops across Jammu come alive with kite-flying competitions and festive gatherings. The skies become colourful as families participate in traditional kite-running events accompanied by music and celebrations. The practice has become an integral part of Jammu’s Janmashtami identity, adding a festive and joyful dimension to the occasion.
A major highlight of Duggar Janmashtami traditions is the midnight offering of sund-panjeeri to infant Lord Krishna, also known as Laddoo Gopal. The special preparation is made using dry ginger powder, desi ghee, sugar and rich dry fruits, creating a traditional delicacy offered as bhog during the sacred midnight celebrations. The ritual reflects the region’s devotion towards Krishna in his child form.
Several Dogra households continue to observe traditional customs such as deyaa parna, where cereal grains are kept in the names of family members as a symbol of prosperity and blessings. Some families also prepare special dropde, traditional half-raw and half-cooked chapatis, as part of ancestral offerings during the festival. These rituals preserve the connection between faith, family traditions and ancestral memories.
Janmashtami in Jammu and Kashmir represents more than a festival. It is a celebration of history, identity and traditions passed down through generations.
From Srinagar’s historic jhanki procession to the Jhelum River’s glowing diyas and Jammu’s colourful kite-filled skies, Krishna’s birth is celebrated across the region in countless unique ways.
The festival continues to showcase how Kashmir’s cultural traditions remain vibrant, carrying stories of devotion, heritage and community spirit.
