Celebrating Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024
The cultural diversity of this country makes it a perfect place where different festivals can be enjoyed with a spirit of oneness and happiness. Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024 is one of these festivals that marks the birth of the god Vishnu’s avatar – Shri Krishna. It is also referred to as Gokulashtami, and this festival is observed on the eighth day of the Bhadrapada month. As per the mythologies of the Hindu religion, Lord Vishnu took the avatar of Krishna Bhagwan on earth with the purpose of defeating Kansa, the brother of Devaki.
Key Timings For Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024
| EVENT | SHUBH MUHURAT TIMINGS |
| Puja Start Time | 03:39 a.m. (26 August, 2024) |
| Puja End Time | 02:19 a.m. (27 August, 2024) |
| Nishita Kaal Puja | 12:01 a.m.–12:45 a.m. (27 August, 2024) |
| Dahi Handi | 27 August, 2024 |
Shri Krishna Janmashtami and Its Astrological Importance
The story that has been passed down about Lord Krishna’s birth is undoubtedly very interesting and engaging. He was born in Rohini Nakshatra, Ashtami Tithi, and Krishna Paksha of the Amavasya night. According to Hindu Panchang, he was born in the month of Bhadrapada. Therefore, the Shri Krishna Janmashtami dates and times are calculated based on these astrological calculations.
He was born to negate the age of dharma every time it rose in the world. He is the Saviour who comes forward to counter adharma and the people involved in it. Krishna killed his uncle Kansa when his wickedness was at its worst. Hence, Lord Vishnu descends to earth in different avatars to restore the rule of order and righteousness whenever the world is filled with chaos and fear.
The Importance of Krishna Janmashtami Festival
According to Hindu mythology, Shri Krishna took his birth on Ashtami Tithi, which is the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Bhadrapada in Mathura town. According to Hindu mythology in India, he was born to Devaki and Vasudeva. Devaki was the sister of the demon king of Mathura, Kansa. According to a prophecy, Kansa’s sins would be punished, and the eighth son of Devaki would kill him. Thus, Kansa put his own sister and her husband in prison. He sought to murder Devaki’s children as soon as they were born to eradicate the probability of the prophecy being fulfilled.
When the eighth son was born to Devaki, the whole palace was put to a magic sleep, and Vasudeva escaped with the child and placed it in the house of Yashodha and Nanda at Vrindavan. This baby was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and became known as Shri Krishna, who finally slew Kansa and ended Kansa’s reign of fear.
Rituals Performed During Shri Krishna Janmashtami Festival
It is a festival loved by the young and the old, and the rituals of this day are very much related to this. Let us look at some of the standard practices that are associated with this day-
People all over India offer their prayers by fasting on this day. This fast can be observed throughout the day, and the food is taken after a specific time, which is considered to be the birth time of Lord Krishna, that is, after midnight.
People recite the divine name all day, filling the environment with divine energy and commitment. Hymns are sung, and recitation of the Lord’s prayer is common, especially in the temples of Krishna. The bhajans are mainly sung in praise of the Lord, thus making the surrounding environment more spirited.
On a large scale, dramas enacting the story of Krishna and his various leelas are staged all over. Raas Leela is also enacted with kids dressed up like Krishna and Gopis and dancing to the songs that represent their affection.
Makhan is a delicacy very dear to Lord Krishna, and therefore, it is served on the day. Desi sweets like dry fruits, milk, khoya, and sugar are prepared to please the little Gopal. It is expected to hear people reciting lessons from the Bhagavad Gita to pass a message about Krishna and what life is all about.
Legends Associated with Janmashtami
The entire kingdom falls into a magical sleep when Devaki gives birth, which helps Vasudeva take the opportunity to escape with his newborn son out of Mathura. He also took little Krishna in a basket during the floods of the rainy season. The king of the snakes, Sheshnag, appeared from the water of the Yamuna and covered the two with his five-headed hood. Thus, with the cosmic powers’ help, Vasudeva could ford the strong current of the river Yamuna and reach Gokul. Once he arrived, Vasudeva left his son with his foster parents, Yashoda and Nanda.
Yashoda, on the other hand, had given birth to a girl child who was considered a reincarnation of Goddess Durga. Vasudeva exchanged the girl for Krishna, and the baby girl was taken back to Mathura. He, therefore, succeeds in deceiving Kansa into thinking that the prophecy of his death at the hands of Devaki’s eighth-born son is untrue, thus giving him a false sense of happiness and relief.
Every year, the Festival of Janmashtami is enjoyed with great enthusiasm and energy as the followers of Lord Krishna celebrate the birthday of their Lord and Saviour.