Janmashtami 2024: TV actors Harithi Joshi, Ankita Bahuguna, Neha Solanki share festive memories
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Television actors Harithi Joshi, Ankita Bahuguna, and Neha Solanki have opened up about their most cherished Janmashtami memories, from midnight fasts and temple visits to the irresistible pull of homemade sweets passed down through generations. With the festival approaching, the three stars offered a warm, personal glimpse into how the celebration of Lord Krishna's birth comes alive in their families.
Harithi Joshi: Dressing Up as Radha and Krishna
Harithi Joshi, currently seen as Tara in the show Divya Prem: Pyaar Aur Rahasya Ki Kahani, described Janmashtami as a deeply spiritual and joyful family affair. 'We decorate the house, pray together, and enjoy delicious festive food. My favourite part of Janmashtami is dressing up as Radha or Krishna. I also love listening to Krishna bhajans. The whole atmosphere feels so happy and positive,' she said. Joshi added that her family makes it a point every year to offer prayers and decorate the Krishna idol with care.
Ankita Bahuguna: Dadi's Coconut Barfi and the Jhankis
Ankita Bahuguna, known for her role as Anupriya in Thodi Si Umeed Thoda Sa Aasaman, recalled fasting through the night as a child and visiting multiple temples to witness elaborately staged jhankis depicting the life of Lord Krishna. 'We would fast until midnight and then break our fast with falahaar. One tradition I remember very fondly is my dadi making coconut barfi and panjiri. I used to wait for Janmashtami just for those sweets, and that memory is still very close to my heart,' she said. She described the temple experience as almost otherworldly: 'With all the costumes and makeup, it felt like Krishna and Radha ji were actually in front of us.'
Neha Solanki: Makhan Mishri at Midnight
Neha Solanki, who is set to headline the upcoming show Raajnanndini, said the festival carried a sense of magic rooted in family ritual. 'Janmashtami was always magical for me. I fondly remember decorating the jhula for Little Krishna, preparing sweets, and eagerly waiting for midnight,' she recalled. The highlight for Solanki was her mother's freshly prepared Makhan Mishri. 'At midnight, after celebrating Krishna's birth and gently swinging him in the jhula, we would break our fast. My brother and I would be especially excited to eat the Makhan Mishri. It always tasted extra special and delicious that night,' she said.
What the Celebrations Reveal
Across all three accounts, the common thread is the centrality of family, food, and devotion — the midnight fast broken together, the grandmother's recipe, the jhula decorated with care. For these actors, Janmashtami is less a public spectacle and more an intimate, recurring ritual that anchors them to home regardless of how far their careers take them. As the festival draws near, their memories serve as a reminder of how deeply personal India's most exuberant celebrations can be.