Krishna is honored in Hinduism as a living divine presence, approached through both formal ritual and intimate devotion. In many Vaishnava traditions he is revered as the Supreme Lord, and his sacred images in temples and homes are treated as if they were his very person. Daily worship typically includes bathing the deity form, dressing and adorning it with flowers and ornaments, and offering incense, lamps, and vegetarian food. These acts are not merely symbolic; they are expressions of loving service, in which bowing, prostration, and circumambulation become ways of drawing the heart closer to him. The food that is offered, once dedicated to Krishna, is then received as prasada, sanctified grace that nourishes both body and spirit.

Devotional practice centers on Krishna’s names, stories, and teachings. Chanting—whether in congregational kirtan or in quieter recitation on beads—focuses especially on names such as “Hare Krishna,” “Govinda,” and “Gopala,” and is often accompanied by music and dance. Singing bhajans and listening to narratives from texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the Bhagavata Purana are regarded as forms of worship in themselves, because hearing and remembering his pastimes keep the mind steadily oriented toward him. Meditation on his form and qualities, along with prayerful inner dialogue, allows devotees to cultivate a personal relationship in which Krishna may be approached as friend, child, beloved, or master. In this way, external rites and internal remembrance reinforce one another.

A distinctive feature of Krishna worship is the contemplation of his various lilas, or divine play. As Bala-Krishna, the enchanting child, he is adored with parental affection, offered sweets, and sometimes placed in cradles during festivals. As the cowherd Gopala, associated with cows, butter, and the pastoral landscape, he evokes simplicity and closeness to nature. As the charioteer and teacher of the Bhagavad Gita, he is revered for his guidance on dharma, yoga, and the path of devotion itself. Dramatic performances, such as Krishna Lila or Rasa-lila, and festival celebrations like Holi, make these divine episodes vivid for entire communities, turning remembrance into shared spiritual experience.

Festivals and pilgrimage further deepen this devotional culture. Janmashtami, the celebration of Krishna’s birth, is marked by fasting, night vigils, and reenactments of his childhood, culminating in special worship at midnight. Govardhan Puja commemorates his lifting of Govardhan Hill through elaborate offerings of many foods arranged like a mountain, while other observances highlight his playful and protective aspects. Pilgrimage to places associated with his life—such as Mathura, Vrindavan, Govardhan, and Dwarka—allows devotees to seek his presence in landscapes sanctified by tradition. Through such journeys, study of scripture, ritual worship, and acts of selfless service offered to him, Krishna is approached not only as a distant deity but as an ever-present Lord who can be served, remembered, and loved in every aspect of life.