The Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas is preparing its biggest annual celebration: Janmashtami Mahotsav 2026, a free four-day festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna, running Thursday, Sept. 3 through Sunday, Sept. 6 at the temple's North Watters Road campus in Allen.
Lead-up events begin Friday, Aug. 28. The temple will be open from 8 a.m. to midnight during the festival, according to the temple's social media.
Janmashtami is a major Hindu holiday commemorating the midnight birth of Krishna. At the Allen temple, the centerpiece is the midnight Janmotsav ceremony on Friday, Sept. 4, when devotees gather in festive attire after a day of fasting to welcome Krishna's appearance with Aarti, kirtan and cake cutting, according to the temple's blog.
All are welcome. Admission is free.
The four days also include kirtans (devotional singing), Jhankis (living tableaux depicting scenes from Krishna's life), Dahi Handi (a traditional game re-enacting Krishna stealing butter), a Braj Mela, a fancy dress competition and a food festival. Thursday, Sept. 3 features a "Celebration with Bal Gopals," and Friday, Sept. 4 includes "Krishna Abhishek" ahead of the midnight ceremony, according to the temple's X account.
Swami Mukundananda, the spiritual teacher who founded the temple in 2017, will preside over the celebration. The temple at 1450 N. Watters Road serves as the U.S. headquarters for JKYog, his organization.
The celebration caps an active summer for the Allen temple, which hosted a five-day Vedic consecration ceremony July 1–5, a week-long Life Transformation Program July 24–30 and a spiritual retreat in August.
If you go
- What: Janmashtami Mahotsav 2026
- When: Thursday, Sept. 3 – Sunday, Sept. 6 (lead-up events from Friday, Aug. 28)
- Where: Radha Krishna Temple of Dallas, 1450 N. Watters Road, Allen
- Cost: Free
- Info: radhakrishnatemple.net/janmashtami or (469) 795-9130
