Shri Krishna Janmashtami is an important festival of Hinduism which is celebrated all over the world along with India as a celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna. This festival is celebrated every year on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month. In the Sanatan tradition, Lord Krishna is considered a symbol of religion, compassion and love. His leelas with friends and gopis have been inspiring people for centuries.
On Which day is Shri Krishna Janmashtami ?
This year, the auspicious time of Shri Krishna Janmashtami will start at 3:39 am on Monday, 26 August and will end at 2:19 am on Tuesday, 27 August. Udayatithi is recognized in Indian culture, so this year Shri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on 26 August.
Story of the Birth of Shri Krishna
Lord Krishna was born in Kans’ prison in Mathura. According to the description of Shrimad Bhagwat Katha, in Dwaparyuga, Bhojvanshi King Ugrasen ruled Mathura. He had a tyrant son Kans and he had a sister Devki. Devki was married to Vasudev. One day Kans put his father in prison and himself became the king of Mathura. According to the prophecy, Kans was to die at the hands of his sister Devki’s eighth child. So he imprisoned Vasudev and Devki and killed Devki’s first seven children one by one.
Lord Krishna was born on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month at midnight. Then all the guards went to sleep. The prison doors opened automatically and Vasudev placed Lord Krishna in a basket and came out of the prison, crossed the Yamuna and left him with Yashoda, the wife of Nanda, a resident of Gokul. In those days Yashoda was also going to have a child, Vasudev came back to the prison with Yashoda’s newborn daughter instead of Lord Krishna. In such a situation, Nanda and Yashoda accepted Lord Krishna as their son.
On the other hand, as soon as Kansa came to know that Devaki had given birth to a child, he came to the prison and tried to snatch the girl from Devaki’s hands and throw her on the ground. But that girl slipped out of his hand and went into the sky. That girl said to Kansa – “The one who will kill you has been born in this world. You will soon be punished for your sins.”
Celebration of Shri Krishna Janmashtami
The festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great pomp all over India. On this day, special prayers are offered in temples. Devotees observe fast and stay awake at night. Tableaus are decorated in homes and the idol of Lord Krishna is worshiped. Children dress up as Krishna and visit temples.
The splendor of this festival in Mathura and Vrindavan is worth seeing. On this day, devotees from all over the country come here and have darshan of their beloved deity. They also circumambulate the Govardhan mountain and celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna with great pomp. They participate in the Dahi-Handi program. On this day, divine events are held in temples, melodious music is played and Raasleela takes place which mesmerizes the devotees.
How to Celebrate Shri Krishna Janmashtami festival ?
On this day, take a bath as soon as you wake up in the morning and take a vow to fast while meditating on Lord Krishna. After this, decorate Lord Krishna’s swing with fragrant flowers for the night worship. After this, at midnight, anoint Lord Krishna with milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, Panchamrit and Ganga water, and also adore him by dressing him in new beautiful clothes. Worship the Lord with all your heart while playing the conch and offer butter, sugar candy, panjiri, finally finish the worship by performing aarti and bow down and ask for blessings for a happy and prosperous life.
The Purpose of Shri Krishna’s Birth
Whenever there is a decline in religion in this world, God incarnates on this earth to re-establish religion. Lord Shri Krishna incarnated on earth to kill Kansa. He not only killed Kansa but also acted as Arjuna’s guide by becoming a charioteer during the Mahabharata war and helped the Pandavas win the war. His sermon given to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra is famous as Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta and is one of the main texts of Sanatan Dharma.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):-
Question: When is Shri Krishna Janmashtami ?
Answer: This year the festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on 26 August 2024, Monday.
Question: Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024 Date and Time ?
Answer: Ashtami Tithi will begin on 26 August 2024 at 03:39 am and end on 27 August 2024 at 02:19 am.
