Krishna Janmashtami: Puja Timings, Rituals, Story, and Dates

Janmashtami: Puja Timings, Rituals, Story, and Dates

Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu’s eighth avatar on Earth. The birth of Lord Krishna represents the triumph of good over evil. On the day of Krishna Janmashtami, Lord Krishna devotees offer prayers, and various rituals inspired by the life of Baby Krishna are held throughout the country.

Janmashtami 2024 is on August 26, Monday

‘Janm’ means birth and ‘Ashtami’ means Eighth. Lord Krishna was the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu in which He was born as the eighth son of Vasudev and Yashoda on the eighth tithi.

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When is Janmashtami celebrated?

Bhagavan Sri Krishna was born at midnight on Ashtami tithi (8th day) under Rohini Nakshatra. The month of Lord Krishna’s birth is Shravan as per Amanta calendar and Bhadrapad in Purnimantha calendar. This corresponds to August – September months on English calendar and the exact date depends on the lunar cycle.

The story behind Sri Krishna Jayanti

According to mythology, Krishna was the eighth child of Princess Devaki and her husband Vasudeva who belonged to the Yadava clan of Mathura. Devaki’s brother Kansa, who was the king of Mathura at that time, killed all children that were given birth by Devaki in order to prevent him from a prediction that said that Kansa would be killed by Devaki’s eighth son. When Krishna was born, Vasudeva took baby Krishna to his friend’s house in Gokul, a district in Mathura. Thereafter, Krishna was brought up by Nanda and his wife Yashoda at Gokul.

Other names of Sri Krishna Jayanti:

Krishnaasthami, Janmasthami, Saatam Aatam, Asthami Rohini, Gokulasthami, Sree Jayanti, Nandotsav etc…

Rituals of Sri Krishna Jayanti

This holy day is celebrated in different parts of India according to various kinds of local traditions and rituals.

People across the country who celebrate Sri Krishna Jayanti keep fasts on this day until midnight when Lord Krishna was born. As a symbol of His birth, the deity’s idol is kept in a small cradle and prayers are offered. Bhajans and Bhagvad Gita recitals are done on this day.

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Krishna Janmabhoomi, Mathura

A view of spectacularly illuminated Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple on the eve of Krishna Janmashtami

In Gujarat, this day is celebrated with pomp and glory in the Dwarkadhish temple situated in the city of Dwarka that was lord Krishna’s kingdom when he became a king.

Even in Manipur, this day called Krishna Janma is celebrated at the ISCKON Temple in the state capital of Imphal.

In Eastern India, Janmasthami followed by Nanda Utsav the next day is characterized by keeping day long fasts and offering different varieties of sweets to the Lord at midnight thus celebrating his birth. Important pujas are held at Puri in Odhisa and Nabadwip in West Bengal.

In Southern India, women decorate their houses with small footprints made of flour representing the life of baby Krishna stealing butter.

Important Timings On Krishna Janmashtami 2024

Read this also – Shree Vishnu Dashavatara; Krishna 8th Avatar of Vishnu

1: Why is Krishna Janmashtami celebrated?

Krishna Janmashtami marks the joyous observance of Lord Krishna’s birth, the earthly manifestation of Lord Vishnu, the divine preserver, in his eighth sacred incarnation (Avatar).

2: When can Janmashtami Parana be done?

As per the Dharmasindhu, the Janmashtami Parana, or the ritual of breaking the fast, can be performed at three specific times: at the conclusion of the Ashtami Tithi, the culmination of the Nishita Kaal Muhurat, or with the arrival of the next sunrise after both the Rohini Nakshatra and the Ashtami Tithi have completed their course.

3: Which Nakshatra was Lord Krishna born in?

The divine incarnation of Lord Vishnu as Lord Krishna graced the Earth under the auspicious Nakshatra of Rohini, on the eighth day of the lunar fortnight (Tithi) known as Ashtami, occurring in the sacred Hindu Calendar month of Bhadrapada.

Krishna Janmashtami festival dates between 2020 & 2030