On Gokul Ashtami , devotees keep fasts till midnight until the birth of Lord Krishna is announced. Devotees keep themselves awake by chanting "bhajans" all day long. When Sri Krishna is born the priests chant holy mantras and bathe the idol of the God with the mixture of Ganga Jal, milk, ghee, oil and honey and then place the idol in a swing. On this day , Gopal kala is prepared. This sweet is prepared from flattened rice and curds.

There is another interesting ritual performed on this day which is known as Dahi Handi. In this rite, clay pots are filled with curd, puffed rice and milk are tied on a high place on the streets and then groups of young boys and men try to reach to the pot by forming human pyramid. This ritual symbolises the way Krishna use to steal dahi and with his friends. This is the reason why Sri Krishna is also known as "Makhan Chor".