How do we celebrate Janmāṣṭamī at home?

fast through the day, decorate a cradle for Bāla Kṛṣṇa, bathe and worship him at midnight, then break the fast with prasāda.

Kṛṣṇa was born at midnight on Bhādrapada Kṛṣṇa Aṣṭamī (Śrāvaṇa in the Amānta calendar), under Rohiṇī nakṣatra, in Kaṁsa’s prison in Mathurā. Families recreate that night at home.

A common way: keep a fruit-and-milk fast during the day; decorate the mandir with flowers and a small jhūlā (cradle); prepare makhan-mishrī, pañjīrī, panchāmṛta and other sweets. Sing bhajans in the evening. At midnight, bathe Bāla Gopāla with pañcāmṛta, dress him in new clothes, place him in the cradle, do āratī, rock him gently, and offer bhoga. Then everyone takes prasāda and breaks the fast. The next day is Nandotsava, celebrating the joy in Gokula; in Maharashtra it brings the dahī-handī.

Smārta and Vaiṣṇava (ISKCON and others) dates sometimes differ by a day; follow your own tradition’s calendar.

Bhādrapada Kṛṣṇa Aṣṭamī, Rohiṇī nakṣatra · Source: Bhāgavata Purāṇa (Book 10)

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