Home Blogs 26 August 2024 Krishna Janmashtami Tithi Time, Wishes, Significance, Rituals

Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most revered deities in Hinduism. Krishna is believed to be the eighth incarnation (avatar) of Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva). The festival is observed on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada, which typically falls in August or September according to the Gregorian calendar.

Krishna Janmashtami 2024 Date: 26th August 2024, Monday

Ashtami Tithi Begins – 03:39 AM on Aug 26, 2024

Ashtami Tithi Ends – 02:19 AM on Aug 27, 2024

Significance

Krishna Janmashtami holds great significance for Hindus as it marks the birth of Krishna, who is considered the embodiment of love, compassion, and divine wisdom. According to Hindu mythology, Krishna was born in Mathura at midnight to Devaki and Vasudeva. His birth was to save the world from the tyrannical rule of King Kansa, his maternal uncle, who feared a prophecy that Devaki’s child would be his end.

Celebrations

The festival is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm across India and other parts of the world. The celebrations vary by region but commonly include fasting, singing devotional songs, reciting scriptures, and reenacting episodes from Krishna’s life, especially his childhood and his mischievous acts, such as stealing butter.

Key rituals and traditions include:

• Midnight Celebrations: Since Krishna is believed to have been born at midnight, devotees gather in temples to witness special prayers and rituals during this time. The idols of Krishna are placed in a cradle and worshipped with great fervor.

• Dahi Handi: In some regions, particularly in Maharashtra, the festival includes a popular event called Dahi Handi, where teams of young men form human pyramids to break a pot filled with curd (dahi) hung high above the ground. This symbolizes Krishna’s childhood act of stealing butter.

• Fasting and Feasting: Many devotees observe a fast on Janmashtami, breaking it at midnight after Krishna’s birth. After the fast, a variety of special foods and sweets, particularly those made with milk and butter, are prepared and shared.

• Raslila Performances: In places like Vrindavan and Mathura, which are closely associated with Krishna’s life, dramatic enactments of Krishna’s youthful pastimes, known as Raslila, are performed.

Conclusion

Krishna Janmashtami is a time of joy and devotion for Hindus, offering a chance to reflect on the teachings and life of Lord Krishna. It is a festival that brings together communities and inspires acts of kindness, devotion, and celebration of divine love.