Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Dr Mohan Yadav celebrated Shri Krishna Janmashtami with fervour at his official residence on Friday, where devotional songs, a Maha Raas performance and a special Dahi Handi ceremony created a deeply spiritual atmosphere.

The celebration saw children dressed as Lord Krishna and Radha participate in the festivities. In a memorable moment, Yadav held a young child dressed as Bal Gopal in his arms and broke the ceremonial pot. He also personally fed the children makhan-mishri, adding a personal touch to the celebrations.

Public representatives, common citizens and members of the saint community attended the event.

Addressing the gathering, CM Dr Yadav described Janmashtami as an occasion of great fortune and said the life and teachings of Lord Krishna remained relevant even today. He said India was known by the names of Lord Ram and Lord Krishna, both of whom assumed human forms and guided people through extraordinary challenges and hardships.

‘Lord Krishna taught us to overcome adversity’

CM Dr Yadav said the circumstances surrounding Krishna’s birth itself were an example of immense adversity. Despite being born in a prison, Lord Krishna taught people never to be overwhelmed by difficulties and to emerge from them with a smile.

Referring to episodes such as the subjugation of Kaliya, breaking Indra’s pride and the killing of Kansa, the Chief Minister said Krishna’s life offered lessons in courage and determination. He also highlighted the importance Krishna attached to education, recalling his years at the Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain, where he forged his famous friendship with Sudama.

CM Dr Yadav said the government was working to bring alive the historical and religious legacy associated with Lord Krishna in Madhya Pradesh. Places linked to Krishna’s legends, including Janapav, Ujjain, Amjhera near Dhar and Narayan near Mahidpur, would be developed as pilgrimage destinations, he said.

He added that the state was also seeking to revive locations associated with Lord Ram and other figures from India’s spiritual heritage.

‘India standing strong under PM Modi’

CM Dr Yadav said merely declaring holidays on festivals was not enough and argued that younger generations should be introduced to the various facets of the lives and teachings of India’s revered figures. He said the state government had therefore begun the practice of officially participating in festivals.

Turning to national affairs, CM Dr Yadav praised Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi’s leadership, saying India was emerging as an economic power on the global stage. He said India’s Sanatan cultural tradition emphasised humanity and global brotherhood rather than domination.

Amid what he described as a world living under the shadow of war, CM Dr Yadav highlighted India’s economic growth. Citing growth rates of 2% for the US, 4% for China and 7.8% for India, he said New Delhi would ensure that India’s interests remained protected in any agreement with the US.

CM Dr Yadav concluded by saying the present era was an extraordinary one, adding that while Lord Ram was smiling in Ayodhya, Lord Krishna would smile in Mathura in the future.