‘Dressing my son as Krishna is the highlight of this Janmashtami’

For Pranitha Subash, this Krishna Janmashtami is one she’s been looking forward to for months. “This will be the first time we are celebrating the festival after the birth of our son,” she says, adding, “Of all the festivals, Krishna Janmashtami is my favourite because it honours my beloved deity, which is why it holds such deep significance for me. Previously, we celebrated with our daughter, all dressed up as Krishna, and this year, my son will take on the role.”The timing makes this year’s celebration even more special. “Last year, he was born around the same time as Krishna Janmashtami, so this year will be the first time we celebrate it with him. His birthday falls on Monday, and the festival is on Sunday, so the timing perfectly aligns,” she shares. “We took him to Tirupati and performed a head-shaving ceremony, and we plan to visit ISKCON, the Krishna temple in Bangalore, this weekend.”‘My grandmother took special interest in celebrating Krishna Janmashtami’Her earliest memories of the festival are rooted in her Bangalore home. “My grandmother took great special interest in this festival. We used to have guests come over and sweets, murukku, and other savouries were distributed,” she recalls. “I think my favourite was always semiya payasam. On the morning of the festival, we used to paint baby footprints resembling Lord Krishna’s from the main doorstep all the way to the prayer room, symbolising his arrival into the house. In the prayer room, there was a silver cradle where we placed a small Krishna idol. It felt as if the deity had come crawling into the house and was now sitting in the prayer room.”‘The joy of dressing up as Krishna has stayed with me’The tradition of dressing up as Krishna runs deep in her family. “When I was a child, my parents used to dress me up as Krishna. Growing up, I took part in many competitions like dress-up contests and dance performances. I used to perform Bharatanatyam on the day of the festival in Krishna temples. I’m really looking forward to taking my kids to such celebrations this year.”‘The Bhagavad Gita is deeply meaningful; it encompasses everything Krishna has taught’Talking about Lord Krishna’s teachings and what resonates most with her, she says, “The Bhagavad Gita is deeply meaningful in every way. It isn’t just a collection of verses; it’s a complete guide to life, weaving together philosophy, insight, and timeless wisdom. Every line carries Krishna’s teachings, offering lessons on courage, duty, and understanding oneself. It’s impossible to pick a single quote, because the richness of the scripture lies in experiencing it as a whole. Reading it feels like stepping into a vast ocean of thought, where each passage reveals something new, and together they form a profound reflection of everything Krishna has taught.”-Divya Shree