Kansa Vadh (Mathura) 2026

Puja Vidhi

Who Celebrates This Festival?

• Devotees of Lord Krishna: Krishna bhaktas observe this day to remember the Lord's victory of dharma over adharma and to seek his protection.
• Families and Seekers of Courage: Those who wish to be freed from fear and injustice pray to Lord Krishna and Balarama for strength and righteousness (Dharma Vijay).

When Should This Be Performed?

• Morning Preparation: Bathe early in the morning, in Brahma Muhurta (the pre-dawn hours), and take a Sankalp for the day.
• Main Puja Muhurat: The puja is done in the morning, after sunrise, and the story of the day is heard through the daytime. Check the puja muhurat for your city on this page.
• Evening Worship: An Aarti is offered at the home altar in the evening, after sunset (in Mathura, the Kansa Vadh Leela is also enacted in the town).

About the Festival

Kansa Vadh is a deeply revered observance, especially at Mathura, that celebrates Lord Krishna's victory over his tyrant uncle Kansa. It takes place on the Dashami (tenth day) of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Kartik.

The Katha (Story of Krishna and Kansa)

Once upon a time, in the city of Mathura, there ruled the cruel king Kansa. When he heard a divine voice declare that the eighth child of his sister Devaki would bring about his end, he imprisoned Devaki and her husband Vasudeva and killed their children one by one. The eighth child, Lord Krishna, was secretly carried to Gokul and raised there by Nanda and Yashoda.

Kansa grew fearful, and sent many demons to destroy the child, but Krishna defeated them all. At last Kansa invited Krishna and his brother Balarama to Mathura for a grand festival, hoping to kill them in the royal wrestling arena. On their way into the city, the brothers broke the great bow of the festival and overcame the mad elephant Kuvalayapida.

In the arena, Krishna and Balarama defeated the champion wrestlers Chanura and Mushtika. Seeing his plan fail, Kansa angrily ordered the brothers to be seized. Krishna leapt onto the royal platform and overcame the tyrant, freeing Mathura from his rule. He then released his parents Devaki and Vasudeva and placed Kansa's father Ugrasena back on the throne with the words: "Let dharma rule once more, and let the people live without fear."

Since that day, devotees have remembered the Dashami of Kartik Shukla Paksha as the day of Kansa Vadh, celebrating the victory of truth and righteousness over evil.

Samagri List (Items Needed)

Gather these items before starting the morning puja:

• Image / Idol: Idol or picture of Lord Krishna and Balarama (or a Bal Gopal idol)
• Tilak & Sacred Powder: Roli, Chandan, and Akshat (unbroken rice grains)
• Lamps & Lights: A brass or clay Diya with Ghee, and incense sticks (Dhoop)
• Sacred Water Container: A small Kalash or vessel filled with Ganga jal or fresh water
• Food Offerings (Naivedya): Panchamrit, butter and mishri (Makhan Mishri), fruits, and sweets such as Peda
• Devotional Accessories: Tulsi leaves, flowers, sacred thread (kalava), and a yellow cloth (Pitambar)

Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Follow these step-by-step instructions carefully to perform the ritual correctly:

Step 1: Morning Preparation and Sankalp

1. Wake up early during Brahma Muhurta, bathe, and wear clean, auspicious clothes (preferably yellow or white).
2. Take a small amount of water in your right palm and take a Sankalp (solemn vow): "O Lord Krishna, today I remember your victory over adharma. Grant us courage, peace, and the strength to walk the path of dharma."
3. Keep the day simple and sattvic, and avoid anger and harsh speech throughout.

Step 2: Preparing the Puja Altar

1. Clean the place of worship and spread a clean cloth on a wooden stool (Chowki).
2. Place the idol or picture of Lord Krishna and Balarama on the Chowki.
3. Place a Kalash filled with water near the idol and keep the puja items ready beside it.

Step 3: Performing the Rituals

1. Lighting the Lamp: Light a Ghee Diya and incense in front of the Lord.
2. Applying Tilak: Apply Chandan, Roli, and Akshat to the idol.
3. Offering Flowers & Tulsi: Offer fresh flowers and Tulsi leaves, and dress the idol in yellow cloth.
4. Offering Naivedya: Offer Panchamrit, Makhan Mishri, and sweets with a prayer.

Step 4: Reciting the Katha

1. Hold a few grains of rice and a few flower petals in your right hand.
2. Sit respectfully in front of the altar and recite or listen to the story of Kansa Vadh from the Bhagavata Purana with devotion.
3. After the story, sprinkle the grains at the Lord's feet.

Step 5: Aarti and Bhajan

1. Perform the Krishna Aarti using the lit Ghee lamp while singing devotional hymns.
2. Chant "Hare Krishna" or "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" for a few minutes with full focus.
3. Offer Pushpanjali (a handful of flowers offered with prayer) and bow before the Lord.

Step 6: Seeking Blessings and Sharing Prasad

1. Touch the feet of the elders in your family to seek their blessings (Charan Sparsh).
2. Distribute the prasad among family members and neighbours, especially children.
3. Close the day with a simple sattvic meal.