Janmashtami, the Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna will be celebrated is around the corner. According to beliefs, Krishna was born on the eighth day of the holy month, Shravana, as per the Hindu Lunar calendar. However, this year, there is a confusion over the date on which Janmashtami and Dahi Handi will be celebrated. While some say it is September 2, others believe Janmashtami falls on September 3.  The best Janmashtami celebrations can be witnessed in cities like Mathura, Gokul, and Vrindavan.

As Krishna is believed to have born during the midnight, devotees perform ritualistic puja during that time. According to the Vedic time-keeping, the time to perform Krishna Puja is during Nishita Kala.

This year, Janmashtami begins at 08:47 pm on September 2 and ends on the evening of September 3 at 7:20 pm. While the muhurat begins from Sunday, Krishna Jayanti will be celebrated on Monday as Ashthami begins on 2nd and continues till 3rd. Dahi Handi celebrations will also be held on 3rd this year. Krishna Janmashtami 2018: Janmashtami Decorations, Their Significance and Simple DIY Ideas, Watch Video

Believers visit Krishna temples to offer prayers and temples conduct story narrations of the night of the birth of Lord Krishna. Many Hindu households bathe idols of Lord Krishna in milk, water, then dress it in new clothes. Special pujas are performed on this day, especially during midnight.

Here is Krishna Janmashtami Puja Muhurat

On September 2: Nishita Puja Time = 23:58 to 24:45+

Duration = 0 Hours 47 Mins

Mid Night Moment = 24:21+

On 3rd, Parana Time = After 20:05

On Parana Day Ashtami Tithi End Time = 19:19

On Parana Day Rohini Nakshatra End Time = 20:05

Raas Lila or Krishna Lila that includes dance and drama enactments of Lord Krishna's life is quite popular on this day. The next day of Janmashtami is celebrated as Dahi Handi in some states in the country. People form teams and make a human pyramid trying to reach a pot filled with curd and other items hung from a certain height.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 01, 2018 02:36 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).