Archive · 1 Sep 2026
Mumbai ISKCON Temples Prepare Elaborate Costumes, Janmashtami Celebrations
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.
ISKCON temples in Mumbai are preparing special clothes for their Krishna deities.
At Girgaon, the clothes will show parrots, flowers and pomegranates from a devotional story.
Designers and devotees made the detailed costumes as an act of service.
The Girgaon temple will hold prayers, music, talks and bathing ceremonies for the deities.
The celebrations will end with a midnight prayer and late-night darshan.
Other temples in Juhu and Matunga will also hold religious and cultural programmes.
In Thane, an animal-welfare group will use the festival to encourage people to avoid dairy products.
ISKCON temples in Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu will dress Krishna deities in specially designed costumes.
Girgaon’s Sri Sri Radha Gopinath ensemble depicts parrots, flowers and pomegranates from Govinda-lilamrta.
Girgaon celebrations on September 3 and 4 will include rituals, kirtans, lectures, abhishek and a midnight Maha-arati.
Temples in Juhu and Matunga have also announced Janmashtami celebrations, concerts, recitals and extended darshan hours.
An animal-welfare group in Thane plans to promote veganism and discourage dairy consumption during the festival.
- Who
- ISKCON temples in Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu, along with other Mumbai-area temples and an animal-welfare group in Thane.
- What
- They are preparing Janmashtami and Krishna Janmotsav celebrations featuring special deity costumes, religious ceremonies, music and cultural programmes.
- When
- The main Girgaon celebrations are scheduled for September 3 and 4, with additional programmes announced through September 13.
- Where
- ISKCON temples at Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu, plus temples in Juhu and Matunga and a gathering site at Talao Pali in Thane.
- Why
- To mark Janmashtami, the festival celebrating Krishna’s birth; the Thane group will also promote veganism and opposition to dairy consumption.
Festival Tradition
Animal-Welfare Campaign
Dairy and Krishna Worship
Festival Tradition
The celebrations follow Krishna’s traditional religious associations and include customary Janmashtami rituals and festivities.
Animal-Welfare Campaign
The Animal Climate Health Save Foundation says animals’ milk belongs to their calves and will urge people to avoid dairy products.
- Main festival locations
- ISKCON temples in Girgaon Chowpatty and Juhu
- Girgaon dates
- September 3 and 4
- Girgaon finale
- Midnight Maha-arati, with darshan open until 1 a.m.
- Girgaon costume theme
- Parrots, flowers and pomegranates inspired by Govinda-lilamrta
- Matunga temple
- Asthika Samaj, home to the Kochu Guruvayoor shrine
- Cultural programmes
- Bhajans, dance recitals, concerts and Ashtapadi performances
- Social campaign
- The Animal Climate Health Save Foundation will promote a vegan lifestyle in Thane