How to do Janmashtami Puja Vidhi at Home?

Janmashtami Puja Vidhi at Home: Rituals, Process, Mantra & Facts

February 04,2026 | Added by: Astro Editorial Team

Janmashtami Fast Rules and Process

Shri Krishna Janmashtami is considered as an important festival in Sanatan Dharma, especially those who belong to the Vaishno sect celebrate it with great fanfare.

Lord Krishna is worshiped in almost every home. But on the day of Janmashtami, something is done according to the intensity. On this occasion, how to worship Lord Krishna and what is its worship method, we will tell you here in details, by what mantras and methods you can worship Lord Krishna, we will also tell you here in details according to the scriptural Shri Krishna Puja Mantra.

While worshiping Lord Krishna, first sanctify everything and yourself, including the seat, by taking water in your hand in front of his picture or photo. First of all, you should decide whether you want to worship Janmashtami. And you have to fast? Do you have devotion to Lord Vishnu or Lord Krishna? Then this is for you.

The area where the Janmashtami altar is to be set up should be cleaned and purified with Ganges water. On the day of Janmashtami, after bathing and getting ready in the morning, first put on clean clothes, then recite the purification mantra to purify yourself.

The purification mantra is as follows:

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

ओम अपवित्रः पवित्रोवा सर्वावस्थां गतोअपि वा। यः स्मरेत पुण्डरीकाक्षं स बाह्याभ्यन्तरः शुचिः॥

Purify the water by sprinkling it on yourself and the worship materials. Then, begin the worship ceremony according to the prescribed rituals.

After purifying yourself, set up a puja platform. Spread a red or yellow cloth on the platform and place a picture or idol of Lord Vasudev on it. Also, place an idol or picture of Lord Ganesha, because no puja is considered successful without worshipping Lord Ganesha first, regardless of which deity or goddess is being worshipped.

Then, perform Kalash Sthapana (installation of the sacred pot). We have explained how to perform Kalash Sthapana in the Navratri Puja Vidhi and Diwali Puja Vidhi; you can get the information from there.

First, bathe Lord Ganesha, then Lord Krishna, and then dress them. After that, take some Akshat (rice grains) in your hand and invoke Lord Ganesha. After invoking him, offer the Akshat to the idol or picture of Lord Ganesha.

Then, worship Lord Ganesha with incense, ghee lamp, flowers, sandalwood paste, turmeric, offerings of food, and seasonal fruits. Then, take some Akshat and flowers in your hand and invoke Varuna Deva. After invoking him, offer the Akshat on top of the Kalash. It is important to worship the Kalash in the same way you worshipped Lord Ganesha.

After that, remember and pay respects to the local deities, family deities, Vastu deities, Lord Shiva, Indra, and the deities of the ten directions. Say, "I do not know your specific puja rituals. I offer you my heartfelt प्रणाम (pranam - respectful salutations)" and then pay your respects. Then move on to the next step. After that, meditate on Lord Krishna.

Shri Krishna Meditation Mantra

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

वसुदेव सुतं देव कंस चाणूर मर्दनम्। देवकी परमानंदं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥

Oh! son of Vasudeva, Lord Sri Krishna, you are the one who vanquished Chanura, Kamsa, and even the mightiest of demons. You bring joy to Devaki, and you are revered throughout the world. Salutations to you, Lord Krishna.

Then, meditate on Lord Krishna and offer flowers at his feet. And then, take the vow for the Janmashtami puja.

Janmashtami Puja Vow Mantra:

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

यथोपलब्धपूजनसामग्रीभिः कार्य सिद्धयर्थं कलशाधिष्ठित देवता सहित, श्रीजन्माष्टमी पूजनं महं करिष्ये॥

Holding a betel leaf, at least a one-rupee coin, water, rice grains, flowers, and fruits in your hand, recite this resolution mantra, and then offer the items held in your hand at the feet of Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna Invocation Mantra

Please note, worship of God is not complete without invocation. Invocation means you are inviting God to participate in your worship. And if you don't invite God, how will He accept your worship? That is why invocation is performed.

The method and mantra for invocation: Holding sesame seeds and barley in your hand, invoke the deity in the idol using the following invocation mantra with the following.

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

अनादिमाद्यं पुरुषोत्तमोत्तमं श्रीकृष्णचन्द्रं निजभक्तवत्सलम्। स्वयं त्वसंख्याण्डपतिं परात्परं राधापतिं त्वां शरणं व्रजाम्यहम्॥

place the sesame seeds and barley grains in your hand onto the idol of God.

Then offer a seat to God. The mantra for offering a seat to Lord Krishna. Take water as arghya (offering vessel) and recite:

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

रम्यं सुशोभनं दिव्यं सर्वासौख्यकरं शुभम्। आसनं च मया दत्तं गृहाण परमेश्वर॥

Leave water on the ground. Then offer Arghya (water offering) to Lord Shri Krishna. Recite the mantra while holding water in the Arghya vessel.

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

अर्घ्यं गृहाण देवेश गन्धपुष्पाक्षतैः सह। करुणां करु मे देव! गृहाणार्घ्यं नमोस्तु ते॥

After that, place the fragrant flowers and rice grains that you are holding in your hand at the feet of the Lord, and then offer water. Mantra for offering water to Lord Krishna: Mix water and fragrance in the offering vessel and recite the following mantra.

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

सर्वतीर्थसमायुक्तं सुगन्धं निर्मलं जलम्। आचम्यतां मया दत्तं गृहत्वा परमेश्वर॥

Pour water, then bathe with clean water also add Tulsi, Ganga Jal leave into the water. The mantra for bathing Lord Krishna is:

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

गङ्गे च यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वति। नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् संनिधिं कुरु॥

Then, take some water and recite this mantra. Sprinkle a little of the water on the idol, picture, or image.

Panchamrita Snana of Lord Krishna

After that, perform the Panchamrita bath of Lord Krishna

Mix Jaggery, milk, curd, ghee, and honey in a vessel and bathe Lord Krishna with this mixture while chanting the following mantra:

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

पंचामृतं मयाआनीतं पयोदधि घृतं मधु। शर्करा च समायुक्तं स्नानार्थं प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥

Bathe the deity. Take water in the Argha (ritual vessel) and perform a purification bath for Lord Krishna once again. The mantra for offering clothes to Lord Krishna: Hold the yellow garment in your hands and recite this mantra.

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

शीतवातोष्णसन्त्राणं लज्जाया रक्षणं परम्। देहालअंगकरणं वस्त्रमतः शान्तिं प्रयच्छ मे॥

If you are already wearing clothes, take a little rice grains and offer them at the feet of the idol. If available, offer yellow clothes to the deity.

Offering the Sacred Thread (Yajnopavita)

Recite this mantra and offer the sacred thread (Yajnopavita) to Lord Krishna.

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

यज्ञोपवीतं परमं पवित्रं प्रजापतेर्यत्सहजं पुरस्तात्। आयुष्मयग्यं प्रतिमुन्ज शुभ्रं यज्ञोपवीतं बलमस्तु तेजः॥

Offering Sandalwood and Turmeric Pastes

The mantra for applying sandalwood and turmeric pastes to Lord Krishna: Apply sandalwood paste to a flower and then recite the mantra.

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

श्रीखंड चंदनं दिव्यं गन्धाढ्यं सुमनोहरम्। विलेपनं सुरश्रेष्ठ चंदनं च हरिद्रा प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥

Recite the mantra and apply sandalwood paste to Lord Krishna.

Mantra for Offering Flowers to Lord Krishna

After this, adorn Lord Krishna with a peacock feather crown and offer him the feathers. Also, present a flute to Lord Krishna. Mantra for offering flowers to Lord Krishna with the following.

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

माल्यादीनि सुगन्धीनि मालत्यादीनि वै प्रभो। मयाआहृतानि पुष्पाणि पूजार्थं प्रतिगृह्यताम्॥

After offering flowers to God, place the garland around the idol. Then offer incense and a lamp to Lord Krishna.

Mantra for Offering Naivedya Lord Krishna

Offer satvik food or naivedya to the God like any sweets, ladu, berfi, kheer, desi butter, srikhand etc. Recite this mantra to offer the food to God.

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

इदं नाना विधि नैवेद्यानि ओम नमो भगवते वासुदेवं, देवकीसुतं समर्पयामि ॥

Offer the food offering to Lord Krishna with this mantra.

Mantra for Offering Achamanam to Lord Krishna

Offer water to the deity for Achamanam. Take water in a vessel and recite the mantra:

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

Idam Achamanam Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevam, Achamaniyam Samarpayami. (इदं आचमनम् ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवम्, आचमण्यम समर्पयामि।)

Pour the water in front of the idol of Lord Krishna. Mantra for Offering Kshama Yachanam to Lord Krishna After this, offer betel leaf and betel nut which is called Tambulam to the deity, perform circumambulation, and recite this mantra:

॥ अथः मंत्र ॥

यानि कानि च पापानि जन्मान्तरकृतानि च। तानि सर्वाणि नश्यन्तु प्रदक्षिण पदे-पदे॥

Then you can read the scriptures related to Janmashtami. Finally, after reading, perform the aarti of Lord Krishna. Then offer a prayer for forgiveness, asking that if any mistakes were made knowingly or unknowingly during the puja, you be forgiven.

In this way, after worshipping Lord Krishna, be sure to distribute the prasad (offering) to everyone.

Frequent Asked Questions(FAQs)

For daily worship, one may dedicate anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes, or even up to an hour. It would be even more beneficial if you were to incorporate a little meditation alongside your worship.

The best time for worship is considered to be between 4:00 AM and 5:30 AM in the morning. This specific period is known as the “Brahma Muhurta”.

If, due to unavoidable circumstances, you are unable to perform your worship, it is not a cause for concern. Simply offer your salutations to your Deity and convey to them, saying, "O Lord, I am unable to perform Your worship today" while explaining the reason for your inability. However, you should always strive to ensure that you do not miss your daily worship on any day, unless such unavoidable circumstances arise.

Yes, bathing purifies our body. This is beneficial not only for Puja but also in general; daily bathing helps prevent premature wrinkles, makes the skin glow, and strengthens one's immunity. However, if for any reason you are unable to bathe, you may still perform the Puja after thoroughly washing your face, hands, and feet.

No, it is highly advisable and excellent to perform the daily Puja yourself within your own home, regardless of your caste. However, if you lack the time or if no one else in the household is able to perform the Puja, you may then enlist the services of a priest.

One should face towards the East or North while performing “Puja”.

1) First, purify yourself by reciting the self-purification mantra; then, perform “Achamana” (ritual sipping of water) to achieve inner purification. Subsequently, you should perform the purification of the seat Asana, the ground called Bhu Shudhi, and the specific area where the worship is taking place.

2) Next, holding Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges), “Akshat” (unbroken rice grains), and a flower in your hands, perform the purification of the Ganesha idol. After the purification is complete, take a small amount of Akshat in your hands, chant the Ganesha mantra 108 times, and then while reciting the “Avahana” (invocation) mantra release the “Akshat” onto the idol slowly.

3) After that, proceed to observe the “Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi” (the ritual of sixteen acts of worship).

During Ganesh Puja, you may offer to the Lord in the form of Naivedya whatever you wish to present with devotion. Specifically, you may offer Motichoor Laddoos, coconuts, Modaks, any five seasonal fruits, Kheer, and various sweets made with milk.

You may keep the Ganesh idol on the puja platform or in the shrine for as many days as you desire. However, it is essential to perform the Visarjan (immersion) of the Ganesh idol by Bhadra Purnima at the very latest. Because the month of “Shradh Period” begins immediately next day of Bhadra Purnima, during which the immersion ceremony is prohibited. Whenever you perform the immersion, ensure you select an auspicious day; for instance, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday are considered suitable. Additionally, you should avoid performing the immersion on Amavasya (New Moon), “Sankranti”, or “Pratipada Tithi”.

Lord Ganesh should be worshipped using the “Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi” (the sixteen-step ritual).

Lord Ganesh is worshipped on the “Chaturthi Tithi” (the fourth day) of the “Shukla Paksha” (waxing phase of the moon) during the month of “Bhadrapada”.

Ghat Sthapana is performed on the first day of Navratri. Barley is sown in an earthen pot and then a water-filled Kalash is placed on it. A silver coin, Gangajal, some Banaspati herbs like red sandalwood, jatamansi, indrajava, bhimseni camphor, a betel nut, and a lump of turmeric are placed inside the Kalash. Five mango leaves are placed on top of the Kalash, followed by a whole coconut wrapped in a red cloth. Shakti is then invoked, symbolizing prosperity and the beginning of the worship of Goddess Durga. The Kalash is considered the abode of gods and goddesses and is kept lit with an eternal flame for nine days.

For nine days, Mata Durga should be worshipped daily using the Shodashopachara Puja method. If you wish, you can also chant mantras and perform havan after the puja.

There are four Navratris in a year. The Navratri that falls in September-October is called Gupta Navratri, the Navratri that falls in the Magh month of January-February is called Gupta Navratri, the Navratri that falls in Chaitra month of March-April is called Chaitra/Basantika Navratri, the Navratri that falls in the Jyestha month of June-July is called Gupta Navratri.

Gupta Navaratri occurs twice a year. During this Navaratri, a spiritual seeker performs rituals in secret without anyone else's knowledge in order to attain a specific objective. Gupta Navaratri is considered to be of immense significance for spiritual practice.

Sharadiya Navaratri, which falls during the months of September and October, is celebrated with great enthusiasm by people across the globe.

If you wish to observe the Navaratri fast, you should take a Sankalp (vow) on the very first day of Navaratri, specifying exactly how many days you intend to fast. Generally, some people fast for 7 days and break their fast on Ashtami (the eighth day), while others fast for the full 10 days breaking their fast on Dussehra (the tenth day) following the Kanya Pujan ritual.

During Navaratri, Kanya Pujan also known as Kanjak involves revering young girls as embodiments of the Divine Mother. These girls are regarded as the living manifestations of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, collectively known as Navadurga.

Devotees complete their worship by treating girls aged 2 to 10 as the direct embodiment of the Goddess, offering them food and gifts; this practice is believed to bring happiness, prosperity, and deliverance from all adversities in life. This ritual is performed specifically to honor the Goddess and to seek her divine blessings.

Following the nine days of Navaratri worship, the Kalash should be immersed during an auspicious time (Shubh Muhurat) on the Dashami Tithi (the tenth day), or immediately after Mahanavami.

Hold a small amount of Akshat (unbroken rice grains) in your hand. While chanting the following mantra, gradually sprinkle the rice grains over the Kalash:

Mantra:

Gachchha Gachchha Surashreshthe Svasthanam Parameshvari |
Pujaradhanakale Cha Punaragamanaya Cha ||

You may distribute the coconut from the Kalash as Prasad (sacred offering) or immerse it in flowing water, as per your preference. Sprinkle the holy water from the Kalash throughout your home, and immerse the earthen pot itself under a tree or in a river. This ritual is believed to usher in positivity, happiness, and prosperity into the home.

Goddess Durga's has 9 forms and those nine forms worship by devotees during the Navaratri period. They are like following:

Day1: Shailaputri

Day2: Brahmacharini

Day 3: Chandraghanta

Day 4: Kushmanda

Day 5: Skandamata

Day 6: Katyayani

Day 7: Kalaratri

Day 8: Mahagauri

Day 9: Siddhidatri

Diwali Lakshmi Puja is best performed during the Pradosh Kala, specifically within the Sthira Lagna (Fixed Ascendant). The Pradosh Kala is generally considered to fall between 5:45 PM and 8:15 PM in the evening. This time corresponds to the Vrisha Lagna (Taurus Ascendant), which is classified as a "Sthira Lagna" according to Vedic Astrology.

During the days of Diwali, one should not sleep late into the morning. Under no circumstances should you disrespect your parents or elders.

Do not deceive anyone, and do not lie to anyone. Every nook and cranny of the house must be absolutely clean and tidy. One should avoid arguments or discord within the home, and one should not sleep during the evening hours. Refrain from consuming any form of intoxicant, and keep the house clean and well-decorated.

Generally, in North India, Diwali is celebrated over a period of five days, observed as follows:

Day 1: Dhanteras

Day 2: Narak Chaturdashi (Chhoti Diwali)

Day 3: Diwali

Day 4: Govardhan Puja

Day 5: Bhai Dooj

To perform Puja alone at home on Diwali, begin by thoroughly cleaning the entire house.

Next, in the North-East corner of the house, spread a red cloth over a raised platform (Chowki) and install the idols of Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi.

Light ghee lamps; bathe the idols, apply sandalwood paste and a tilak (sacred mark) to them, and then offer flowers, fruits, and sweets. Finally, perform the worship using incense (dhoop), lamps (deep), and flowers. Conclude the ritual by performing the Aarti (hymn of worship) for Lord Ganesha and Mother Lakshmi, using either camphor or a ghee lamp. Afterward, bow down in reverence and distribute the Prasad (sacred food offering) among everyone present.

Dhanteras falls on the Trayodashi Tithi (thirteenth day) of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) during the month of Kartika. It marks the first day of the five-day festival of Diwali. On this day, Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera are worshipped. Purchasing new utensils, gold or silver jewelry, or other items on this day is considered extremely auspicious.

Dhanvantari Trayodashi, is known as Dhanteras. On this day, one should worship Lord Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi, and Lord Kubera. It is considered highly auspicious to purchase gold or silver jewelry, new utensils, coriander seeds, or a broom on this day.

In the evening, a four-faced lamp (Choumukha Deepak) is burned for Lord Yamaraj to pray for the longevity of all family members; during the day, the house is thoroughly cleaned, and in the evening, Lakshmi Pujan (worship of Goddess Lakshmi) is performed.

Chhath Puja is celebrated every year on the Shashthi Tithi or the sixth day) of the Shukla Paksha and waxing phase of the moon during the month of Kartik. It falls exactly six days after Diwali.

During Chhath Puja, the primary deities worshipped are “Surya Dev” hence the name “Surya Shashthi” and “Chhathi Maiya” is Goddess Shasthi. It is believed that Goddess Shasthi always protects children, and worshipping her blesses the household with a male child.

Chhath Puja is a major festival spanning four days, beginning on “Kartik Shukla Chaturthi” is the fourth day and continuing until “Saptami Tithi” is the seventh day. The rituals include:

Day 1: Nahay-Khay;

Day 2: Kharna;

Day 3: Sandhya Arghya (offering to the setting sun); and

Day 4: Usha Arghya (offering to the rising sun). This festival is dedicated to Surya Dev and Chhathi Maiya.

Chhath Puja is a difficult fast that continues for 36 hours without water (Nirjala). Purity holds special significance in this observance, wherein everything is strictly sattvic and pure and wholesome. The ritual begins on the first day with 'Nahay-Khay,' followed by 'Kharna' on the second day; the third day features the 'Sandhya Arghya' and evening offering, and the fast concludes called Parana on the fourth day with the 'Usha Arghya' or morning offering.