Temples echo with Krishna chants as Punjab, Haryana celebrate Janmashtami with traditional fervour

Chandigarh, Sep 4 (PTI): Temples across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh came alive with colourful decorations, devotional songs and chants of devotees on Friday as people celebrated Janmashtami with traditional enthusiasm and religious fervour.
Scores of people thronged temples on the occasion marking the birth of Lord Krishna amid tight security arrangements and waited in long queues for darshan.
Children dressed in colourful attires presented cultural and religious performances, while bhajans and discourses on Krishna were organised in temples the across the two states and their common capital.
‘Baal-Gopal’ (child Krishna) was in placed ‘jhulas’ (swings) which devotees ceremonially swayed as part of the celebrations.
The governors and chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana greeted people on Janmashtami.
Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria said Lord Krishna’s life and teachings were about attaining the ultimate truth through the path of “dharma”.
“Lord Krishna propagated the concept of ‘nishkam karma’ while enlightening the people about the attainment of the ultimate truth through the path of ‘dharma’,” Kataria said.
“May this festival inspire us to follow the path of virtue. Let us celebrate with devotion and unity, embracing the values of righteousness in thought, words, and deeds,” he added.
Haryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh said the “timeless” teachings of Lord Krishna, enshrined in the holy Bhagavad Gita, continued to guide humanity towards duty, righteousness, courage and selfless action.
“May Lord Krishna bless everyone with peace, prosperity and strength and inspire us to walk the path of truth and dharma,” Ghosh said.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a post on X in Punjabi, said, “Heartiest congratulations on Janmashtami to all the countrymen. May the grace of Lord Shri Krishna Ji remain upon you all. May every home be filled with happiness and prosperity.”
Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, in a post on X in Hindi, prayed that the festival bring love, devotion and positive energy into people’s lives.
“I pray to Lord Krishna to illuminate the lives of every family in Haryana with happiness, prosperity, health, and peace.
“May this sacred festival infuse our lives with love, devotion, harmony, and new positive energy, and inspire us to walk the path of righteousness and truth,” he said.