Krishna Janmashtami 2024: Date, Time, Shubh Muhurat, Legends and Significance!

Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami, is a Hindu holiday celebrated yearly. It commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna. According to the Panchanga, or Hindu calendar, it happens on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the month of Shravana. In the western Gregorian calendar, this occurs in August or September.

Gokulashtami will be celebrated on August 26, 2024. It is commemorated as a holiday by numerous business and public institutions.

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on August 26 this year. It is observed yearly on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha, which falls in the month of Shraavana of Bhadrapad. As we prepare to celebrate the auspicious holiday of Janmashtami, here is a glimpse at the shubh muhurat, city-specific timings, puja samagri, and essential rituals commemorating Lord Krishna's 5251st birthday.

 

Shubh Muhurat of Krishna Janmashtami 2024:

This year, Hindu followers will commemorate Lord Krishna's 5251st birth anniversary. It falls on August 26. Check out the shubh muhurat and timings from Panchang.

·         Nishita Puja Time - 12:01 am to 12:45 am, August 27

·         Ashtami Tithi Begins - 3:39 am, August 26

·         Ashtami Tithi Ends - 2:19 am, August 27

·         Midnight Shubh Muhurat - 12:23 am, August 27

·         Rohini Nakshatra Begins - 3:55 pm, August 26

·         Rohini Nakshatra Ends - 3:38 pm, August 27

·         Parana Muhurat (the time to break fast) - after 3:38 pm, August 27

·         Rohini Nakshatra End Time - 3:38 pm (On parana day, Ashtami will be over before sunrise)

·         Parana Time (as per modern traditions) - 12:45 am, August 27

·         Chandrodaya Time - 11:20 pm, August 26

 

City wise timings for Krishna Janmashtami 2024:

New Delhi - 12:01 am to 12:45 am, August 27

Noida - 12:00 pm to 12:44 am, August 27

Gurgaon - 12:01 am to 12:46 am, August 27

Mumbai - 12:17 am to 01:03 am, August 27

Bengaluru - 11:58 pm to 12:44 am, August 27

Kolkata - 11:16 pm to 12:01 am, August 27

Chandigarh - 12:03 am to 12:47 am, August 27

Pune - 12:13 am to 12:59 am, August 27

Chennai - 11:48 pm to 12:34 am, August 27

Jaipur - 12:06 am to 12:51 am, August 27

Hyderabad - 11:55 pm to 12:41 am, August 27

Ahmedabad - 12:19 am to 01:04 am, August 27

 

Puja Samagri for Krishna Janmashtami 2024:

To execute the Krishna Janmashtami puja, devotees will require a banana leaf on which to place Lord Krishna's portrait. Rose, wheat, rice, red lotus flowers, incense sticks, agarbatti, kumkum, abir, gulal, kesar, kapur, sindoor, Chandan, yagyopavit 5, akshat, paan leaves, supari, pushmala, haldi, cotton, tulsi mala, kamal gatta, Ganga Jal, honey, dhaniya, panch meva, sugar, cow ghee, cow milk, rituphal, and cardamom are also used in puja.

 

For the shringar (decoration) of Bal Krishna's idol, you will need flute, earrings, bangles, garland, tika, anklets, nada, kajal, peacock feathers, turban, fan, and a swing and throne to keep the idol. Additionally, place a betel nut on a betel leaf and offer it to Lord Krishna. Meanwhile, to prepare the bhog, you will need dry fruits, melon seeds, and gond.

 

Puja Vidhi for Krishna Janmashtami:

The puja vidhi for this event is extremely essential because the birth of Laddoo Gopal is the focal point of all preparations. To help you get the most out of this puja, we've included a full puja vidhi below:

1. Take a bath in the morning and dress fresh.

2. Start the puja preparations at night by decorating Sri Krishna's palna, or cradle, and cleaning the shrine with Gangajal.

3. To begin the pooja, perform dhyana. Respectfully set the Lord Krishna statue on the palna. If you do not have a palna, you can substitute a wooden chowki.

4. Padya is the practice of offering water to a deity's feet. Offer arghya to the Lord.

5. Perform achaman, or the act of offering water to the Lord and then drinking it.

6. To perform the Lord's snana ceremony, fill the idol with the Panchamrit's five ingredients: milk, curd, honey, ghee, and gangajal.

7. Gather the five components, which will be used as prasad in Panchamrit.

8. Decorate the idol with fresh attire and accessories, known as the deity's shringaar.

9. Present the precious janeu to God. Then apply Chandan paste to the deity.

10. Decorate the idol with a crown, jewelry, mor pankh, and bansuri.

11. Give the deity flowers and Tulsi leaves. Light an incense stick and an oil lamp.

12. Offer Makhan and Mishree as bhog to the Lord. Offer the God a tambulam composed of coconut, betel nuts, haldi, paan, and kumkum.

13. Sing Kunj Bihari's aarti to worship the Lord, then perform a parikrama.

14. Join your hands and beg the Lord to protect you and your family from harm as you pray together.

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Steps of Puja Vidhi for Krishna Janmashtami:

1. Dhyanam (Meditation): Begin by meditating on Lord Krishna.
2. Avahanam (Invocation): Invite Lord Krishna to the puja.
3. Asanam (Offering a Seat): Offer a seat to Lord Krishna.
4. Padya (Washing Feet): Offer water to wash Lord Krishna’s feet.
5. Arghya (Offering): Offer water for head Abhishekam.
6. Achamaniyam (Sipping Water): Offer water for sipping.
7. Snanam (Bathing): Bathe the idol with Panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar).
8. Vastra (Clothing): Offer new clothes to the idol.
9. Yajnopavitam (Sacred Thread): Offer the sacred thread.
10. Gandham (Sandalwood Paste): Apply sandalwood paste.
11. Pushpam (Flowers): Offer flowers.
12. Dhoopam (Incense): Light incense sticks.
13. Deepam (Lamp): Light a lamp.
14. Naivedyam (Food Offering): Offer food, fruits, and sweets.
15. Tambulam (Betel Leaves): Offer betel leaves and nuts.
16. Aarti (Waving of Light): Perform Aarti with a lamp.

Astrological Importance of Krishna Janmashtami:

The account of Lord Krishna's birth is undeniably fascinating and enthralling. He was born during the waning moon phase, or Krishna Paksha, in the Rohini Nakshatra of the Asthami tithi. He was born in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada. As a result, the dates and hours for Sri Krishna Janmashtami are determined using astrological calculations. He is the defender, preventing the world from being destroyed by adharma and its followers.

Krishna murdered Kansa because of his bad activities. When the universe is overwhelmed by chaos and terror, Lord Vishnu takes on numerous incarnations on Earth in order to re-establish the rule of dharma.

Important rituals to mark Lord Krishna's birthday:

On Krishna Janmashtami, devotees must fast to seek Lord Krishna's blessings. You can observe a nirjala vrat (no eating or drinking till midnight) or a phalahar fast (only fruits, milk, and water). The fast is normally broken at midnight. Wear traditional clothing, bathe and decorate Lord Krishna's idols with new attire and jewelry, and pray for the well-being of their families. Devotees should also chant mantras, bhajans, and read the Bhagavad Gita or Krishna Leela.

Krishna Janmashtami related Legends:

Devaki gave birth to her eighth son, and the kingdom of Mathura was put to slumber by supernatural intervention. Vasudeva was able to take advantage of the situation and slip his newborn out of Mathura. Krishna was carried in a basket through the torrential downpour. Shesnag, the king of the snakes, shielded the two with his five-headed hood. Vasudeva was able to cross the Yamuna River and arrive to Gokul with the assistance of celestial forces. Vasudeva brought his son here, leaving him with his foster parents, Yashoda and Nanda.

On the other side, Yashoda had given birth to a daughter who was said to be Goddess Durga's incarnation. Vasudeva returned the infant girl to Mathura. He tricked Kansa into believing that the prophecy about his death at the hands of Devaki's eighth son was false, which made him feel relieved and pleased. Every year, believers rejoice in the birth of Krishna, their lord and protector, by celebrating Janmashtami with great zeal and excitement.

Krishna Janmashtami’s celebration around the World:

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the world. This holiday is celebrated differently in different states of India and around the world.

North India's biggest celebration is Janmashtami. On this day, people observe the Raas Leela tradition. Kite flying is another pastime celebrated in Jammu on Krishna Janmashtami.

Northeastern and Eastern India: On Janmashtami, Manipur locals perform the Radha-Krishna Raslila, a love-themed dance drama. Parents read aloud from the Bhagavata Gita and the tenth chapter of the Bhagavata Purana to their children, who dress up as gopis and Krishna from Krishna's stories.

West Bengal and Odisha: The event is also known as Sri Krishna Odisha. On Janmashtami, people fast and pray till midnight. Individuals recite the Bhagavata Purana's 10th Purana, which is about Krishna's life. The following day is 'Nanda Utsav,' a festival to honor Krishna's foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda.

Gujarat celebrates Krishna Janmashtami with a Makhan Handi rite that is identical to the Dahi Handi tradition. Some people do folk dances, sing bhajans, and visit Krishna temples.

Maharashtra: Every year in August, Indians celebrate Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami. The day after Krishna Janmashtami is dedicated to the Dahi Handi festival. On this day, people crush the 'Dahi Handi', an earthen pot of yogurt. According to folklore, newborn Krishna stole butter and yoghurt, therefore people kept their milk products out of his reach.

To knock down these high-hanging pots, Krishna would devise a variety of inventive methods, such as forming human pyramids with his buddies. The concept of Dahi Handi, in which spilled fluids are referred to as Prasada, was thus born.

South India celebrates Gokula Ashtami with great zeal. Kolam is used to decorate floors in Tamil Nadu, and Krishna-themed devotional hymns are sung. To portray Krishna entering the house, they depict Krishna's footsteps leading from the entryway to the pooja room. Krishna is offered butter, betel, and fruits.

Nepal: On Janmashtami, people fast until midnight and chant poems from the Bhagavad Gita while performing religious music.

Fiji: Janmashtami is known as 'Krishna Ashtami.' During these eight days, Hindus gather at their homes and temples with their'mandalis.'

In the United States, Janmashtami celebrations begin early in the morning. Hare Krishna troupes and devotees organize colorful festivities and cultural events.

Bangladesh celebrates Janmashtami as a national holiday. Several processions are planned for this day.

Singapore: Temples host cultural events to mark Krishna Janmashtami. The 'Krishna chanting competition' is what sets this event apart.