Krishna Janmashtami 2020: Date, Shubh Muhurat, Significance

The Festive season is on and after Eid and Rakhi, devotees are now gearing for Krishan Janmashtami 2020. The festival is regarded as one of the most auspicious and important festivals celebrated in India. Janmashtami marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Devotees are leaving no stone unturned to make it more memorable.  Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated across India in diverse names such as Gokulashtami, Saatam Aatham, Krishnashtami, Srikrishna Jayanti, and Ashtami Rohini.

As per belief, Krishna was born in Mathura at midnight on the eighth day of Bhadrapada month. Devotees fast and keep a vigil the entire night by singing devotional songs of their Ladoo Gopal. The celebrations take place in the cities of Mathura, Gokul, and Vrindavan in UP. It is also celebrated at various ISKON Temples across the Globe.

Here is all you need to know about Krishna Janamashtami festival:

Janamashtami Date:

As per the Hindu calendar, Janmashtami is observed in the Bhadrapada month on the eighth day (Ashtami tithi) of Krishna Paksha. This year Janmashtami can be celebrated on 11th August 2020; some individuals will be celebrating it on 12th August.

Janamashtami Time:

• Janamashtami Shubh Muhurat:
• Janmashtami Tithi – 11th August 2020
• Nishita Puja Time – 12:21 AM to 01:06 AM, August 12
• Dahi Handi on Wednesday, August 12, 2020
• Ashtami Tithi Begins – 09:06 AM on August 11, 2020
• Ashtami Tithi Ends – 11:16 AM on August 12, 2020

Janamashtami Legend:

As per legends, Krishna was the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva.  Devaki was the sister of Mathura’s cruel king Kansa. On the day of Devaki and Vasudeva’s wedding, it was prophesied that their eighth son would be the cause of Kansa’s death.  Kansa threw them both in prison and one by one, killed all their sons until Krishna was born. Krishna was born in Mathura at midnight. To protect him from his uncle Kansa’s wrath his father took him across the Yamuna to his friend’s house. After growing up Krishna returned to Mathura killed his wicked uncle and released his parents from prison.

How is Janamashtami celebrated:

On the eve of Krishna Janmashtami, millions of devotees across India observe a fast for Lord Krishna. They conclude on the following day when the Ashtami Tithi and the Rohini Nakshatra ends. The idol of the Lord is cleaned, decorated with fresh clothes and ornaments. The idol is placed in a cradle and the celebration is marked like the birthday of a little child. The temples of Lord Krishna are decorated with flowers, garlands, and ornamental items. Little children dress as Radha Ji and Krishna depicting Lord Krishna’s childhood memories. There is also recitation of holy books like the Bhagavad Gita and Gita Purana in major temples.  The most popular places for the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations are Vrindavan (where Lord Krishna was brought up) and Gokul (birthplace of Lord Krishna)

Krishna Janmashtami Vrat (Fast):

On the eve of Krishna Janmashtami, millions of devotees across India observe a fast for Lord Krishna. People who observe a Janmashtami Vrat take a Sankalp(pledge) before commencing with the fast. The devotees perform the morning rituals and start with the fast after taking the Sankalp.

There are strict rituals which should be followed by the devotees while observing the Krishna Janmashtami Fast. They should abstain from the consumption of any kind of grains till the fast is broken on the very next day after the period of sunrise. The rituals that are performed at the time of Krishna Janmashtami Vrat are similar to the rituals performed during Ekadashi Vrat.

There is a particular time for performing the Parana ritual which is done for breaking the fast. The Parana is performed once the Ashtami Tithi and the Rohini Nakshatra are over after the sunrise. If the Rohini Nakshatra of the Ashtami Tithi continues the next day, then the devotees can conclude their fast if one out of the two is over. The fast can be kept for a period of two long days depending upon the Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra. As per Dharmasindhu, the devotees can also conclude their fast the following day if they are unable to keep it for the entire two days.

Food and Prasad For Janmashtami:

here are many different kinds of Prasads that are prepared on the auspicious occasion. Several different types of fruits and sweetmeats are offered to God. Since little Krishna was fond of Butter, a special type of Prasad Makhan malai is also prepared on this special day. This is done by churning homemade white butter with some sugar. Some people also prepare the special ‘Chappan Bhog’ to please the deity.

Dahi Handi:

The celebration of Dahi Handi depicts the most loved activity of Lord Shree Krishna where teams of young people break the earthen pot (Handi) which is filled with curd (Dahi), by forming a pyramid

Here’s wishing you all a Happy Janmashtami!

Also Read:  Raksha Bandhan 2020: 10 Unique Gift Ideas for Brothers & Sisters On Rakhi