Krishna Janmashtami, also popularly known as Gokulashtami, is an annual celebration in India that marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The day is considered really auspicious in Hinduism and is celebrated and observed on the eighth day i.e. Ashtami of the dark fortnight i.e. Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana. Krishna Janmashtami 2024 will be celebrated on Monday, August 26. It will be the 5251st birth anniversary of Lord Krishna this year. The Janmashtami celebration is followed by Dahi Handi, which is celebrated the next day. Dahi Handi, popular in Maharashtra, will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 27 this year. Krishna Janmashtami is an important festival, particularly in the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism.

Krishna Janmashtami holds great importance to Hindus around the world, and it is celebrated in diverse forms. The customs associated with Janmashtami include a reading and recitation of religious texts, dance and enactments of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana, devotional singing till midnight, till the time of Krishna's birth, and fasting, amongst other things. In this article, let’s know more about Krishna Janmashtami 2024 date, shubh muhurat and the significance of the auspicious day.

Krishna Janmashtami 2024 Date

Krishna Janmashtami 2024 falls on Monday, August 26.

Krishna Janmashtami 2024 Timings

  • Nishita Puja Time will be from 12:17 AM to 01:03 AM, August 27

  • Mid Night Moment will be at 12:40 AM, August 27

  • Chandrodaya Moment will be at 12:02 AM, August 27

  • Ashtami Tithi begins at 03:39 AM on August 26 and ends at 02:19 AM on August 27,

  • Rohini Nakshatra begins at 03:55 PM on August 26 and ends at 03:38 PM on August 27

Krishna Janmashtami Puja Vidhi and Rituals

  • Devotees should wake up in the morning, take a bath and wear clean clothes.

  • Ensure the house, especially the puja room, is clean and decorated. You can use flowers, rangoli, and lights.

  • Prepare a puja thali with flowers, sandalwood paste, incense sticks, diyas, rice, fruits, sweets, tulsi leaves, and a small idol or picture of Lord Krishna.

  • Place the idol or picture of Lord Krishna in the center of the altar. If you have a cradle, place the idol in it, symbolising the birth of Krishna.

  • Adorn the idol with new clothes, jewellery, and flowers and begin the puja by lighting a ghee lamp and incense sticks.

  • Bathe the idol of Krishna with panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar) and then wipe the idol and dress it again in clean clothes.

  • Perform the aarti by circling the diya in front of the idol while ringing a bell and singing devotional songs or bhajans. This is an important and joyful part of the puja.

  • Since Lord Krishna is believed to have been born at midnight, many devotees stay awake until midnight. At midnight, the idol of baby Krishna (Bal Gopal) is placed in a cradle, and a special aarti is performed, celebrating his birth.

  • Many devotees fast throughout the day and break their fast after the midnight aarti, eating only the prasad offered to Lord Krishna.

Krishna Janmashtami Significance

Janmashtami is celebrated across India and in many parts of the world by people of various cultures and traditions. Each region has its own unique way of celebrating the festival, reflecting the diversity and unity within Hinduism. The festival of Krishna Janmashtami is the largest festival in the Braj region of north India, in cities such as Mathura where Hindu tradition states Krishna was born, and in Vrindavan where he grew up. Vaishnava communities in these cities in Uttar Pradesh, as well as others in the state, as well as locations in Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himalayan north celebrate Janmashtami.

The places of Mathura and Vrindavan are visited by pilgrims during this time. Many northern Indian communities organize dance-drama events called Rasa Lila or Krishna Lila. The tradition of Rasa Lila is particularly popular in the Mathura region, in northeastern states of India such as Manipur and Assam, and in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 24, 2024 06:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).