Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, a festival marking the birth of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna, is celebrated across many parts of India. Mathura and Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, witness enormous celebrations and display the true spirit of Janmashtami. On this day, devotees observe fasting and chant prayers or bhajans while engaging in special celebrations like breaking Dahi handi, an earthen pot of yoghurt. People also prefer to perform pooja and elaborate Janmashtami decorations at home with lights and flowers to welcome the deity.

The festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha of the Hindu Bhadrapada month that corresponds with August or September in the Gregorian calendar. According to the Hindu religion, Lord Krishna is the eighth and the most powerful incarnation of Lord Vishnu on earth. He was born on a dark, stormy and rainy night in a prison where his parents were held captive by his uncle. So, Janmashtami celebrations typically begin at midnight.

You can deck up your home to welcome Lord Krishna this Janmashtami with these easy, yet impressive Janmashtami Jhula decorations and baby Krishna costume ideas at home.

Set up a beautiful altar

You can go for a simple, yet elegant decoration for Lord Krishna, which can blend with the design theme of any modern house. People usually have a traditional mandir at home. If you do not have one, you can just set up an altar in a room corner and beautify it with light or oil lamps and flowers. Make sure you add some peacock features to the décor to match the theme.

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Also check out these Ganpati decoration ideas at home

Place the idol of Lord Krishna on the altar. You can also go for miniature, colourful terracotta figurines, which look eye-catching and are eco-friendly.

Arrange a dahi handi

Dahi (curd), a favourite of Lord Krishna, should be an integral part of the Janmashtami decoration at home. These items are also offered to the god after the Janmashtami pooja. For a perfect Janmashtami décor at home, place a handi filled with dahi or butter and adorn it with paint designs, mirrors, and golden laces, which are readily available in shops. Fill the pots with cotton, if you do not prefer natural curd or butter. You can also make a provision to suspend the pot from the ceiling.

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DIY Janmashtami jhula decoration ideas at home 

Lord Krishna is referred to by other names like Laddu Gopal, Kanha, and Murali. Couples looking to have children on this day pray to the deity. People in many Indian households bring home artistically decorated jhulas, palna or swings for baby Krishna. You can even go for a DIY jhula decoration at home. Create a classic jhula and decorate it with velvet cloth, mirrors, acrylic colours, peacock features and flowers.

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Create a Janmashtami backdrop

Lord Krishna spent his childhood in Vrindavan. You can enhance the Janmashtami home décor by recreating a village-like ambience. Start by using coloured sand for the flooring or Rangolis and grass-like materials. Add miniature figurines of cows, pebbles, small pots filled with cotton, etc., for a perfect backdrop. Place a cradle for baby Krishna. You can include figurines of Krishna’s mother Yashoda, father Nand, and villagers.

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See also: Dussehra decoration ideas for home

Home temple decoration for Janmashtami 

If there is a dedicated mandir at your house, place a Radha Krishna idol in the centre. Decorate the area using modern lighting, traditional oil lamps, and flowers like lotus and tulsi leaves, which are associated with Lord Vishnu. You can also recreate the Raas Leela scene from Vridanvan by using dancing figurines of gopis or the cow-herd girls who had eternal devotion towards the god. Create a Janmashtami look for your home temple by including bells, earthen pots and conch shells for the decor.

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Floral decorations for Janmashtami

Incorporate a variety of flowers in the home décor for an ideal Janmashtami ambience. Adorn different areas of the house, such as balcony, doors and railings, with flower garlands, including torans for the home entrance. Place matkis, vases and centrepieces decorated with fresh flowers. Use mango leaves and flowers like roses, lotus, marigolds, and chrysanthemums that are well-suited for the theme.

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Also check out tips for Navratri decoration ideas at home

Krishna costume ideas at home

Families also love dressing up the kids at home in Krishna’s costumes as part of the Janmashtami celebrations. You can dress up your child in a bright yellow dhoti and a matching kurta or stole, which is more apt for the occasion. Accessorise the look with jewellery, flower garlands and a crown for the toddler, decked with a peacock feather or Mor Pankh. Complete the look with a flute, the musical instrument Lord Krishna loves to play.

You can also decorate the baby Krishna idol with fancy dress materials available in the market these days. It includes yellow bandhej and pagdi or turban that makes the deity look beautiful.

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