Preparations for Janmashtami in Mathura
Mathura. If you are thinking of going to Kanha's city Mathura or Vrindavan on Shri Krishna Janmashtami this year, then this information is very important for you. Preparations are in the final stages in Mathura and Vrindavan for Janmashtami of 2026. There is a wave of enthusiasm among devotees from all over the world to see the birth anniversary of Kanha. However, keeping in mind the crowd and safety, the local administration and the temple management have made several important changes in the rules of darshan and stay.
Hotel and guest house status
Hotels, Guest Houses and Ashrams Fully Packed
Even before Janmashtami, major hotels, guest houses and ashrams of Vrindavan and Mathura are completely booked. Devotees have made advance booking so fast that now it has become difficult to get any room in the city. If you are thinking of going to Mathura or Vrindavan without booking, you may face a lot of difficulty in finding accommodation.
New arrangement for entry into Mangala Aarti
Only 600 devotees allowed entry in Mangala Aarti
The most important information this time is about the famous 'Mangla Aarti' of Banke Bihari Temple. This aarti takes place on the night of Janmashtami and lakhs of devotees come to see it.
Learning from past experiences, the administration has decided that this time only 600 devotees will be allowed to enter the temple premises at the time of Mangala Aarti. These 600 people will be selected with special pass and under prescribed procedure.
No guarantee of entry into Aarti
Hotel booking will not guarantee entry into Aarti.
The temple administration has issued an important warning for the devotees. He has clarified that if a devotee has booked a hotel or guest house room in Vrindavan, it does not mean that he will get entry into Mangala Aarti. Hotel booking will not guarantee entry into Aarti or special darshan.
One-way system for darshan
'One-way' system implemented for crowd control
To make the darshan process safe and easy for the devotees, 'one-way' route system has been implemented in the entire temple area. The way for devotees to enter the temple will be different and the way to exit after darshan will also be different.
Barricading has been done in the roads and streets so that sudden crowd cannot gather and a stampede-like situation can be avoided. Along with this, health camps, drinking water arrangements and security forces have been deployed. The administration has appealed to all devotees to follow the guidelines issued and plan their journey carefully.