Krishna Janmashtami is a popular and much-awaited festival which is celebrated across India in diverse names such as Gokulashtami, Saatam Aatham, Krishnashtami, Srikrishna Jayanti and Ashtami Rohini. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated as Lord Krishna’s birthday. The celebrations of this festival last for two days. Janmashtami Images, Wishes and Quotes
Lord Krishna is a major deity in Hindu mythology. An incarnation of Lord Vishnu, he is known as the god of love and compassion. His popularity does not limit to India alone but there are devotees of the Lord in the western world too. So the birth of Lord Krishna is undoubtedly a big event and sees great festive celebrations throughout the country.
Lord Krishna was born on the Ashtami or the eighth day of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada according to the Hindu calendar. A big puja is performed at the exact time of the birth of the Lord.
The Lord Krishna temples are decorated with much fervour to celebrate the birth of the Lord. The celebrations of Janmashtami or Gokulashtami take place in much enthusiasm 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:
Janmashtami Celebrations:
Janmashtami is regarded as one of the most auspicious and important festivals celebrated by Hindus in India. On this auspicious day, Lord Krishna was born as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is believed that Lord Krishna was born five thousand years ago in Dwapar Yuga in the City of 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.
The day of Janmashtami is celebrated till midnight because that was when Lord Krishna was born and the next day is celebrated with much vigour as Gopal Kala or Dahi Handi.
How is Janamashtami celebrated:
The celebratory arrangements for Gokulashtami begin almost a week in advance, especially in the temples of Mathura and ISKCON temples. 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. There is also recitation of holy books like the Bhagavad Gita and Gita Purana in major temples.
The temples of Lord Krishna are decorated with flowers, garlands and ornamental items. Little children dress as Radha Ji and Krishna Ji perform several acts depicting Lord Krishna’s childhood memories.
The most popular places for the Krishna Janmashtami celebrations are Vrindavan (where Lord Krishna was brought up) and Gokul (birthplace of Lord Krishna)
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
Fasting and Pooja:
The devotees break or conclude their fast when Lord Krishna take birth, i.e. after midnight, by first performing the Aarti followed by offering homemade sweets. Delicious meals are prepared and served to family, friends and relatives after the fast and puja are concluded.
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 2019:
There 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.
Date, Time, Pooja Mahurat Of Janmashtami 2019:
Date & Timing of Krishna Janmashtami 2019:
- The festival of Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on August 24, 2019. Nishita Puja Time – 12:01 AM to 12:46 AM, Aug 25.
- Duration – 00 Hours 45 Mins
- Janmashtami falls on 24th August 2019.
- Nishita Puja Time – 12:01 AM to 12:46 AM, Aug 25
- Dahi Handi on Sunday, August 25, 2019
- Parana as per Dharma Shastra
- Parana Time – after 05:59 AM, Aug 25
- On Parana Day Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra gets over before Sunrise
- At many places in India, Parana is done after Nishita i.e. Hindu midnight
- Ashtami Tithi Begins – 08:09 AM on Aug 23, 2019
- Ashtami Tithi Ends – 08:32 AM on Aug 24, 2019
- Rohini Nakshatra Begins – 03:48 AM on Aug 24, 2019
- Rohini Nakshatra Ends – 04:17 AM on Aug 25, 2019
Also Read: Raksha Bandhan 2019: Date, Time, Significance and Legends behind the festival