Inspired by Lord Krishna's love for ghee - Gheesutra Rituals

As the night of Janmashtami approaches during the month of August, the air becomes filled with devotion, music, and mystery. Homes glow with soft lamps, bhajans echo in the background, and the eternal love of Krishna is celebrated across temples, hearts, and houses.

However, it is also the celebration of pure devotion between the soul and the divine as we pray to Radhakrishna. 

The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm all across the globe. The birth (janma) of Lord Krishna who is considered to be the eighth avatar of Vishnu, is observed as Janmashtami every year.

It is eight-day festival because it begins on the ashtami (eighth day) of the waning moon in Shravan and ends with Navami (ninth day, which is also the last day of Bhadrapada).

The festival is celebrated across India, especially by singing devotional songs throughout the night and fasting through the day without taking any food, and also visiting Krishna temples.

2025 Janmashtami Date and Time

Janmashtami 2025 – Saturday, August 16 On this day Janmashtami is marked by the main midnight puja, also known as Nishita Puja which would be observed between 12:04 AM to 12:47 AM on August 16 Ashtami Tithi: The eighth lunar day: Begins at 23:49 on August 15 and ends at 21.34 on August 16

In some communities, it is celebrated on August 15 according to the tradition and lunar calculations.

Key Rituals & Celebrations

Fasting: Many followers observe fasting till midnight, which is considered as the period of Krishna's birth.

Midnight Puja: Prayers, singing of devotional songs (bhajans), reading scriptures (primarily the Bhagavad Gita) and rituals are performed around midnight.

Decorations: Houses, temples and the Murtis (Idols) of Baby Krishna are embellished with flowers, clothes and ornaments.

Dahi Handi is an extravaganza free-for-all, human pyramids battling for a pot of curd or butter to commemorate Krishna's childhood exploits in breaking such pots.

Ras Lila & Dance Dramas — High-intensity dramatic reenactments of Krishna's life, especially in Mathura and Vrindavan.

Other dishes: Special sweets, particularly a kind made with milk and butter that the god Krishna used to enjoy, are prepared and offered.

Mythological Background

The Festival is Named After the Birthday That Krishna Was Born in a Jail of Matthura, Where Devaki and Vasudeva Were Locked by Kansa. The savior of new born Krishna secretly operated by carrying from Kansa's land, across the raging Yamuna River in midnight hours to reach safety at Gokul is an essential part of Janmashtami reading-part and plays.

Popular Traditions

Janmashtami is not only a fun but also spiritually important festival which brings us together in prayer and joy to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

Krishna’s Love for Ghee: A Mythical Elixir of Nourishment

Before He became the universe’s greatest lover, philosopher, and friend, Lord Krishna in his childhood was adored for his love for ghee and lovingly called Kanha, the butter thief or makhan-chor. To the world, it was a mischievous act. To the wise, it was symbolic.
Ghee, in Ayurveda, is considered the purest form of nourishment, not just for the body, but for the mind, skin, and soul.
 

Why Ghee is the Crown Jewel of Ayurvedic Beauty

In Ayurveda, ghee is known as the carrier of Ojas (vitality). It's able to:

• Penetrates all seven layers of the skin
• Deeply moisturizes without clogging
• Enhances collagen and your skin's elasticity
• Promotes a youthful glow
• Heals dark spots and pigmentation
• Increases purity in the energy field

And when formulated with Shankara's Shata Dhauta Ghrita, a classical Ayurvedic formula mentioned in Charak Samhita, the result is a creamy, non-greasy face emulsion that hydrates, brightens, and nourishes the deepest layer of the skin. 

Discover the Gheesutrā range from Shankara Naturals - A Ritual for Natural Radiance.

Inspired by this eternal symbolism, Gheesutrā is more than skincare. Crafted using Shankara Naturals philosophy, where ancient Ayurvedic wisdom meets Western scientific precision, the Gheesutrā collection brings pure ingredients, potent botanicals, and ritual beauty into one luxurious experience.

1. The Gheesutrā Cleansing Balm 

To melt away the day’s dust and dullness, I begin with Shankara’s Gheesutrā Cleansing Balm. Made with 100x-washed ghee and infused with rosemary and saffron, it’s like a warm, ghee-rich welcome home for my skin. It lifts away makeup and impurities, while deeply nourishing, like Radha’s love, it cleanses and comforts all at once.

Key Ingredients:
Shata Dhauta Ghrita (100x washed ghee), Castor Oil, Rosemary Leaf Oil, Grapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil Derivative, Beeswax, Vitamin E, Green Tea Oil, Sugandhit Dravya (Saffron)

How to Use:
Massage onto a damp face. Gently wipe away or rinse off with water

Benefits:
 • Melts away makeup, dirt, and impurities
 • Infused with rosemary for a refreshing aroma and natural antibacterial properties
 • Rich ghee base nourishes while cleansing

2. Gheesutrā Nourishing Exfoliator

Next, in order to gently polish away yesterday’s dirt, I use the Gheesutrā Nourishing Exfoliator. Infused with bamboo, tamarind, and rose petals, and sweet almond oil mixed with chocolate powder helps to nourish while exfoliating, revealing skin that radiates. 

Key Ingredients:
Shata Dhauta Ghrita, Kumari (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Tamarind Seed Powder, Bamboo Extract, Rose Petal Extract, Sweet Almond Oil, Licorice Extract, Silica Crystals, Hyaluronic Acid, Chocolate Powder, Vitamin E, Jasmine & Cucumber Aroma

How to Use:
 Apply to damp skin, massage gently in circular motions, and rinse.

Benefits:
  • Gently exfoliates with bamboo and tamarind
  • Nourishes with sweet almond oil and rose extract
  • Leaves skin visibly soft, smooth, and radiant

3. Gheesutrā Face Emulsion

This is the heart of my ritual. The Gheesutrā Face Emulsion is crafted with ghee, sandalwood, and hibiscus as old as love itself. It melts into the skin, delivering deep nourishment and that lit-from-within glow.

Key Ingredients:
Shata Dhauta Ghrita, Tamarind Seed Liquid, Bamboo Extract, Hibiscus Extract, Blue Pea Extract, Sandalwood, Vitamin C, Jasmine & Rose Aroma

How to Use:
  Apply to clean skin morning and night as the final step in your facial ritual.

Benefits:
  • Lightweight hydration with deep nourishment
  • Enriched with Vitamin C and hibiscus for glow and firmness
 • Ghee and sandalwood soothe and heal the skin

4.Gheesutrā Hand & Foot Cream

This festive season, I’m tending to my hands and feet with the Gheesutrā Hand & Foot Cream. With kokum butter, moringa, and ghee, it hydrates deeply without any heaviness. It’s my way of grounding beauty in every step and softening the way I hold the world.

Key Ingredients:
Shata Dhauta Ghrita, Olive Oil Derivative, Tamarind Fruit Pulp, Mango Seed Butter, Kokum Butter, Aloe Vera, Moringa Leaf, Coconut Oil, Turmeric Oil, Rosemary Extract, Jasmine Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Jojoba, Squalane, Vitamin E

How to Use:
Massage into hands and feet as often as needed.

Benefits:
 • Deeply hydrates dry, cracked areas
 • Strengthens skin barrier with kokum, mango butter & moringa
 • Lightweight yet rich—absorbs quickly

5.Gheesutrā Saffron Lip Butter

I seal my smile with the Gheesutrā Saffron Lip Butter. With shea butter and 100x-washed ghee, it’s more than hydration, it's a soulful touch. It keeps my lips soft and glowing for over 12 hours, perfect for speaking love, truth, and tenderness.

Key Ingredients:
Shata Dhauta Ghrita, Almond Oil, Castor Oil, Saffron, Grapeseed Oil, Green Tea Oil, Shea Butter, Lecithin, Beta Carotene, Mango Flavour

How to Use:
Apply generously to lips whenever they feel dry or dull.

Benefits:
 • Richly nourishes lips with ghee and mango butter
 • Helps heal chapping, dryness, and flaking
 • Adds natural softness and shine

6.Gheesutrā Body Butter

After my bath, I drench my skin in the luxurious Gheesutrā Body Butter. With kokum, parijat, and tamarind, it brightens and deeply nourishes, leaving my body wrapped in softness and subtle fragrance. Like a silken saree for the skin—this is my glow armor.

Key Ingredients:
Shata Dhauta Ghrita, Parijat Flower Extract, Kokum Butter, Tamarind Fruit Pulp, Aloe Juice, Bamboo Extract, Purified Copper Sulphate (Tuttha), Willow Bark Powder, Coconut Oil

How to Use:
 Smooth over skin after bathing or whenever skin feels dry.

Benefits:
  • Deeply nourishes and hydrates with kokum and parijat
  • Brightens and softens skin over time
  • Luxurious texture ideal for post-bath rituals 

7. Illuminate Kohl Kajal

Lining my eyes with the Illuminate Kohl Kajal, I tap into that timeless gaze to look mystical and magnetic. Since it’s made with pure ghee and almond oil, it glides on effortlessly and stays bold through every emotion.

Key Ingredients:
Pure Cow Ghee, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Cold-Pressed Castor Oil, Anjana Powder (blend of Bamboo, Rose, Sandalwood, Agaru, Fennel, Bibhitaka, Amla, Haritaki, Tulasi), Coconut Oil, Beeswax

How to Use:
Apply gently along the waterline, lash line, or lids as desired. Use daily for best results, preferably after cleansing or as part of your morning ritual.

Benefits:
  • Soothes and protects the delicate eye area with pure cow ghee
            • Nourishes lashes and contours with almond and castor oils
 • Glides on smoothly and comfortably for daily use
 • Crafted traditionally to cool, purify, and comfort the eyes

It’s available in 3 colors: Illuminate Matte Black, Luminous Royal Blue and Forest Brown to complement any eye color. 

Janmashtami Gift to Your Skin

As you light the diyas this Janmashtami and adorn your space with peacock feathers and jasmine, don’t forget that your body is a temple. Offer it a ritual. A moment. A caress of divinity. Because true beauty is about wellness from within. 

This Janmashtami, Celebrate Your Inner Goddess

From the butter Krishna loved to the grace Radha embodied, Gheesutrā reimagines the way ghee is used for skincare and celebrates your natural radiance. 

Gift yourself this sacred glow ritual and feel like the divine feminine. Available at Shankara Naturals