Janmashtami is right around the corner, and it’s time to gear up for this fun-filled festival! And to ensure your festivities are unforgettable, you must get your Janmashtami decorations right! From jhoolas to flowers, there’s so much you can do to welcome Kanhaji home. But before we get into the Janmashtami decoration ideas, let’s start with the history of this festival.

Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu, is believed to have been born in 3228 BCE in Mathura, now in Uttar Pradesh. According to the lunisolar Hindu calendar, he was born on the 8th night of the ‘Bhadrapada’ month (Bhado). Needless to say, Mathura witnesses the grandest Janmashtami decorations and celebrations every year.

But many other places are famous for their Janmashtami decor ideas as well. For instance, Vrindavan in UP, where Krishna spent his childhood, sees massive celebrations. Additionally, the state of Dwarka in Gujarat, where he ruled and lived for the bigger part of his life, also is witness to remarkable celebrations. 

The Different Shades of Janmashtami Celebrations

Every state has a different way to commemorate the two days that are celebrated as Krishna Janmashtami, Gokulashtami or Krishna Jayanti. Since, Lord Krishna was born at midnight, the festival spills onto the second day as well.

Typically, there are two ways to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. One, that involves minimal Janmashtami decoration at home where you perform a small pooja. Two, you go grand. You can do that by either participating in the famous celebrations hosted by temples, or you can even host your own kirtans or Bhagavad Gita Path

If you’re more likely to celebrate Janmashtami at home, below are some ideas for Janmashtami decoration at home.

Choose the Right Statue for Janmashtami Decoration

janmashtami-decoration-with-krishna-statue
Most homes have a statue like this one, made of either metal or stone

In most parts of northern India, people like to adorn Krishna statues in new clothing and jewellery. Essentially, they wash the idol in a large plate (parat), adorn it with new clothes (poshak), crown (mukut), flute (bansuri) and necklace (haar). Remember to buy these things if you don’t have them already. In addition, remember that Krishna’s favourite colour is yellow

However, in Andhra Pradesh, the devotees prefer to keep pictures or paintings of Krishna instead of a statue. They chant bhajans and shlokas in front of the picture during Janmashtami. So, if you’re looking for an easy Krishna Janmashtami decoration idea at home, you can consider this.

janmashtami-decoration-ideas-at-home
A clay statue of Krishna, easily available in the market for Janmashtami decoration

If you don’t have a statue that you can do your Janmashtami decoration on, buy a clay or metal statue from the market before Janmashtami. These are available at economical prices and generally come in different sizes.

janmashtami-decoration-items
The Bal Gopal or Bal Krishna statues that are more popular in northern India

In states like UP, West Bengal, Delhi, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, people prefer to bring the Bal Gopal, Bal Krishna or Ladoo Gopal home. They place the statue in a cradle or a swing and rock it to enact the birth moments of Lord Krishna. The Janmashtami decoration ideas at home often include ideas and moments revolve Krishna jhula decoration.

Keep reading to find some dazzling ideas for Krishna jhula decoration at home.

Set a Theme for Janmashtami Decoration at Home

janmashtami-decoration-theme
The Govardhan Mountain Tale from the many tales of Lord Krishna

Lord Krishna was known to impress his people with intelligence and strength. To set a theme for your Janmashtami decoration at home, you can choose from many tales and legends. These themes are a beautiful way to share the tales of Krishna’s life with your children. 

janmashtami-decoration-ideas
The Makhan Chor Bal Krishna theme is the dearest one to devotees in UP

The most common and popular Krishna Janmashtami decoration theme is the ‘Makhan Chor Krishna‘. This is when Maa Yashoda catches little Krishna for stealing makhan from various houses. Since makhan was his favourite food, devotees offer him makhan along with their prayers. Hence, you will find the statues of Bal Krishna or Ladoo Gopal extending his hand forward, trying to reach for butter. 

unique-janmashtami-decoration-ideas-at-home
The Raas Leela theme is common in UP, West Bengal, Odisha and Manipur

The second most popular and creative Janmashtami decoration theme idea is the ‘Raas Leela‘ by Krishna. Lord Krishna, his friends and the gopis used to love dancing to his flute. Raas leelas are a common way to celebrate Janmashtami in Mathura and Vrindavan in UP. Either actors are hired for the performance, or family members themselves dress up for these plays. 

Also Read: 30 Easy and Beautiful Ganpati Decoration Ideas to Welcome Bappa Home (ft. Bollywood Celebs)

Decoration for Janmashtami at Home With a Stage/Stand/Base for the Idol

janmashtami-decoration-jhoola
Usually the idol is set above on a stage/base that is also decorated to mark the birth celebration

For Janmashtami decoration ideas at home, the base can be made out of a stool or a box. For bigger celebrations like kirtans and Bhagavad Gita Paths (where Bhagvad Gita is recited for 3, 5 or 7 days and there’s a havan), the stage is generally larger than this. 

But if you’re looking for easy Krishna Janmashtami decoration ideas at home, use temporary cardboard boxes. You can also use red cotton/ satin cloth to hide these bases. The colour red is auspicious for conducting poojas. 

Ready the Parat to Wash the Statue for Janmashtami Decoration

janmashtami-decoration-at-home
The Krishna statue is bathed in Ganga jal, water and milk after the specified time of his birth

Typically, for a small-scale Janmashtami celebration at home, you bathe the statue in honey, milk and water before dressing it and some simple decoration. Most people do this twice. Once after you have decorated your entire set-up and placed Krishna in his ‘palna/jhula‘.

janmashtami-decoration-thali
Keep your parat ready with all the necessary Janmashtami decoration items

Additionally, you need to do this another time during the specified ‘muhurat‘ of Krishna’s birth. This time again with ‘ganga jal‘, water and milk. Hence, a large plate (parat) forms a part of the Krishna Janmashtami decoration. 

Decorate the Palna/Jhula for Your Bal Krishna 

janmashtami-decoration-with-palna
Rock the jhula to mimic the cradle of Bal Gopal

There are many ways to decorate the ‘palna/jhula‘ for your ‘Ladoo Gopal‘. Steal these ideas below for your krishna jhula decoration at home. 

Use Satin Clothes (Reshmi) for Janmashtami Jhula Decoration

simple-janmashtami-decoration-for-jhula
A Krishna jhula decorated with colourful satin clothes and tied to a satin rope to rock the swing
creative-janmashtami-decoration-ideas
A wooden swing lined with satin clothes and pillows to create a seat (asan) for Krishna
decoration-for-janmashtami-at-home
A metallic seat lined with velvet has a yellow satin cloth background

Use Peacock Feather for Janmashtami Decoration

decoration-ideas-for-janmashtami-with-peacock-feathers
The use peacock feathers also common to Krishna Janmashtami decorations

Lord Krishna always wore a peacock feather in his crown (mukut), so it is only natural to decorate his ‘palna/jhula‘ and his ‘mukut‘ with it. Moreover, you can also decorate the thali with peacock feathers.

janmashtami-decoration-peacock-feather-thali
Peacock feathers and laddoos for your Laddoo Gopal

Krishna Janmashtami Decoration With Items Like Matkis and Handis

how-to-decorate-janmashtami-at-home-with-matka
One of the traditions on Janmashtami is to break the matki/handi full of butter to remember the mischievous ways of Krishna

In Maharashtra, Janmashtami is all about having fun. There are ‘handi contests‘ that are quite competitive as local companies and political parties offer cash prizes to the winning groups. The participants form human pyramids and try to break the ‘handis‘ hung high above the ground. 

janmashtami-decoration-matki-handi
Matkis are decorated with paint and flowers

Nevertheless, ‘handis and matkis‘ are a part of the celebrations everywhere. The matki decoration for Janmashtami ideas for these include flowers, paints and satin clothes. 

Also Read: 7 Important Vastu Rules to Follow While Placing Your Ganpati Murti

Use Lights for Your Janmashtami Decoration

krishna-janmashtami-decoration-items
The use of fairy lights is becoming increasingly popular to decorate altars during poojas
janmashtami-decoration-lights
Light up your altar!

Lights are a good option for Janmashtami decoration at home as they add visual interest to the space. Moreover, you can use lights in so many ways in your home interiors and exteriors during Janmashtami. Lights are especially helpful when you’re hosting kirtans and Bhagavad Gita Paths

decoration-ideas-for-janmashtami-at-home
A grand image of Krishna created using lights for Janmashtami decoration

Janmashtami Decoration Ideas With Flowers

janmashtami-decoration-ideas-at-home-flowers
Roses and marigolds (genda) are the most auspicious flowers to use during such celebrations

Apart from the altar, you can use flowers to decorate your doorways, walls, railings and ceilings. Moreover, the more you decorate, the more celebration spirit you will have. 

janmashtami-decoration-flowers
Deck up your Kanhaiya with vibrant flowers

Best Rangoli Options for Janmashtami Decoration

janmashtami-decoration-items-rangoli
Since the peacock feather is symbolic to Lord Krishna, try peacock rangolis

Everybody loves Janmashtami decoration options that are bright and vibrant. That’s why peacock ‘rangolis‘ work the best during this festival. Moreover, the peacock feather is symbolic to Lord Krishna, and thus, fits the theme perfectly.

janmashtami-decoration-rangoli
A simple yet colourful rangoli design for the occasion of Janmashtami
janmashtami-decoration
A grand and colourful rangoli idea for Janmashtami kirtans or paths

We hope you’re as excited for the upcoming Janmashtami festival as we are. You can use most of these Janmashtami decoration ideas at home, and some for kirtans and paths as well. So on this holy festival, bring all your family together and remember the legends of Lord Krishna who liberated us from evil in his own fair ways. 

Check out pooja room designs:

How Can Livspace Help You?

  • Our expert design team can help you out with amazing interior design ideas
  • We have delivered over 50,000+ happy homes
  • Our designs are beautiful, functional and unique

If you want beautiful interiors for your home, then look no further. Book an online consultation with Livspace today. Additionally, if you have any thoughts or suggestions you’d like to share with us, we’re all ears! Drop us a line at editor@livspace.com.