Janmashtami with Kamala Mami, Your UK Paati

Namaskaram, kannas!

It’s time to welcome little Krishna into our homes as we celebrate his birth. Known as Janmashtami in the North and Krishna Jayanthi in the South, the festival is marked by devotion, joy, and shared traditions across India.

When I was a little girl in Ooty, we’d draw tiny rice-flour footprints from the front door into the puja room, as though Krishna himself had walked in for butter. Here in the UK, my granddaughter uses blue chalk on the driveway, a modern adaptation, but the same devotion!

Why We Celebrate

Krishna is the most lovable god as a child, playful and naughty, stealing butter. As a youth, playing the flute, enchanting the gopis. And as a teacher, I give the Bhagavad Gita. His life is a poignant reminder that joy and wisdom are inextricably linked.

Pooja Checklist:

● Krishna idol (baby Krishna in cradle or flute-playing youth)
● Jhula (swing), decorated with flowers
● Tulsi leaves, peacock feather
● Butter, curd, mishri
● Aval (poha), fruits, dry fruits
● Lamps, incense, conch, bell
● Kolam with little Krishna’s footsteps

For my young readers: “Butter + mishri = the OG Nutella. #MakhanChorApproved”

Rituals Step-by-Step

● Kolam & Footsteps – Rice-flour footprints leading into the house.
● Abishekam – Bathe the Krishna idol in Panchamrit, then dress him with silk or cotton veshti and ornaments.
● Archana & Aarti – Offer Tulsi leaves, sing bhajans or Vishnu Sahasranamam.
● Midnight Celebration – At Krishna’s birth time, rock the cradle, blow the conch, sing lullabies.
● Naivedyam – Aval, seedai, murukku, payasam, butter, fruits.

Kitchen Traditions

South Indian homes prepare:
● Seedai (uppu & vella) — crunchy, salty-sweet snacks.
● Aval payasam — Krishna’s favourite.
● Murukku & adirasam — crispy delights.
● Appam — soft, sweet pancakes.

There’s this combo that Aha Bazaar offers called the Janmashtami Ashtarupa Combo, it even comes with a small little krishna and a butter

North Indian homes offer:
● Makhan-mishri — Krishna’s classic treat.
● Kheer & peda — creamy sweets.

For my young readers: “Aval with jaggery & banana — the OG breakfast bowl before smoothies were cool. #HealthyHeritage”

Songs & Stories

In Tamil and Kannada homes, we sing lullabies like “Thalaattu Krishna Songs.” In Telugu homes, “Govinda Namalu.”In the North, “Achyutam Keshavam.” Sometimes, I ask my UK grandchildren to read one verse of the Bhagavad Gita each year. They even post it on Instagram Stories,
Krishna on Insta, imagine!

Community Fun

In Maharashtra, they break the Dahi Handi. In Karnataka and Andhra, children dress up as Krishna and Radha. In the UK, Tamil Sangams and ISKCON temples organise plays and midnight bhajans.

Last year, my grandson hung a butter pot in the backyard, and the neighbourhood kids had their own mini “handi-breaking.” Even British neighbours joined in, laughing, clapping, and eating seedai.

Where to Shop

For Krishna idols, jhulas, Tulsi, aval, seedai mixes, butter pots, and even tiny Krishna costumes — Aha Bazaar has it all.

Krishna doesn’t want grandeur, he wants innocence and love. Even if you offer just one spoon of butter with bhakti, he will bless your home. May Govinda’s flute fill your life with joy, and may his wisdom guide your path.

Happy Janmashtami! Krishna Jayanthi Vaazhthukkal!