Janmashtami, a day when Lord Krishna birthday is celebrated. It is celebrated in August or September as per Hindu Calendar. The Janmashtami celebration is full of joy all around the world. It is said to be one of the main religious festivals. Moreover, it is known by different names such as Krishnashtami, Gokulashtmi or Janamashtmi. For this year it is on 26 August, 2024. Sometimes it is celebrated on two days.
When do We Celebrate Janmashtami?
Janmashtmi is generally occurs in the month of Bhadrapad (August and September) on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha. Moreover, it is because of different ways of observing the festival by different groups of people; The Vaishnav Sampradaya and The Smarta Sampradaya. These are two groups of Hindus celebrating same thing just in their own ways. Those who follow Vaishnav tradition emphasis on Ashtami Tithi that falls on eighth day after new moon. Whereas the strategy used by Smarta group is more thorough. Their focus is more on the middle of the night as a particular period. There is a slight difference for dates but both celebrates the festival with same happiness.
In some places it is two days because people start the preparation for celebration for the birth of Lord Krishna and after 12pm, the second day is marked as birth anniversary. Book India Tour Packages to celebrate Janmashtami in India in different style.
Why is Janmashtami Celebrated?
The word Janmashtami explains itself, Janma meaning birth and Ashtami meaning eighth day. This word eighth in this has its own meaning, explaining Lord Krishna being the eighth child of his mother, Devaki. The story of birth of Lord Krishna is different. He was born in a prison in Mathura, India, where his parents were forced by his uncle, Kansa. It was told to Kansa that the eighth born of Devaki, will be the cause of downfall of Kansa. So he killed all the newborns of Devaki. But after that Lord Krishna was born.
At that time the guard were responsible to keep an eye on them but instead they all fell asleep. After which Lord Krishna was sent across the river Yamuna by his father Vasudeva to his foster parents, Yashoda and Nanda.
How Do We Celebrate Janmashtami?
The Janmashtami celebration is done in different forms across the world. In India devotees generally fast till midnight and after the birth they break their fast. But in country like India with such vast culture the festival is celebrated in different ways. Different traditions are followed in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu, Delhi etc. Not only in Mathura but this festival is celebrated with a complete joy in other states too. Plan a pilgrimage tour in India in August with famous places for Janmasthami Celebration in India.
Janmasthami Celebration in Mathura
In North India, in Braj region the festival has its own spirit. As Mathura is the place where Lord Krishna was born, people from across the world gather to see different events and take part. There are atleast 400 temples that are dedicated to Lord Krishna. Moreover the celebration is started atleast 10 days before the auspicious day. The place is beautifully decorated with flowers, different plays and Krishna leela’s are performed, thus attracting the tourists. The place is filled with joy with people chanting bhajans and kirtans and make it one of the Best Places to visit in India in August.
On this auspicious day, in temples the idol of Lord Krishna is often bathed in Milk, curd, honey, ghee and other offerings. This process of sacred offerings is known as Abhishekam. It is said to be key ritual of this day. There are many different rituals that are followed on this day. Another tradition followed is Jhulanotsav. It is a tradition in which devotees swing the idol of Krishna on a decorated cradle. It is the significance of the joy of krishna’s birth and nurturing care he received from his foster parents.
Are you planning a trip to India for Janmashtami festival, book Delhi to Mathura tempo traveller to make your journey awesome.
Vrindavan Janmasthami Celebration
Vrindavan is a holy land of Joy and colors and when it comes to a Festival like Janmashtami, it is the most spiritual feeling. The town is covered with colorful decoration, devotional songs. At midnight a great crowd participates in the Krishna aarti. Everyone chanting Hari Om mantras make it more sacred. After aarti the prashad is distributed to devotees after which they break their fast. Festivals like this mkes everyone immersed in feeling of divine joy. Thus the celebration itself show the love for Lord Krishna by his devotees.
There are temples that are worth visiting during Janmashtami in Vrindavan. Although all the temples are worth visiting but Banke Bihari Mandir, Ranganathji Temple, ISKCON Temple and Radharaman temple are worth visiting during this time. The Abhishekam, the ritual bath is worth watching.
Moreover Madhuban, an area near Yamuna River is said to be the place where shri Krishna performed Raas Leela with Gopis around 5000 years ago. And it is said that it still happens thus no local goes there after dusk. But on Janmashtmi at the daytime there are different plays performed. You can book Mathura Vrindavan tour packages to enjoy the grand festival in both places.
Janmashtami celebration in Mumbai
In the areas of Maharashtra, the festival is known as Dahi Handi. It is done by hanging a pot that filled with certain things like yogurt, milk, butter etc. Then people mostly men make a human pyramid, thus trying to break the pot. These Group of people is known as Mandals. The people surrounding them sing and cheer them. It is celebrated in this certain way as reminding Lord Krishna being a Makhan Chor.
Krishna Janmasthami in Dwarka, Gujarat
If we talk about Gujrat, Dwarka is believed to be a Lord Krishna’s Kingdom. It is a sacred site for events like this. It is said that Lord Krishna stayed here for 5000 years after leaving, Mathura. The place is worth watching at the time of Janamashtmi. The streets are decorated with lights till midnight. There is a Shayan Arti performed by temple priest at Dwarkadhish temple. People perform Garba, chants bhajan etc. Here also Jhulanutsav is done.
Janmastmai Festival in Udupi, Karnataka
In this region the festival is celebrated in their own way. The different dance events called Vittal Pindi, Pili vesha (tiger dance), Long chanting prayers, making the festival more joyous. It is said that devotees don’t have a direct view of Idol. They worship Lord Krishna through Nine holed window known as Navagraha Kitiki. Moreover, the temple rituals like the long Pujas and holy baths makes it more sacred.
ISKCON Temple Janmashtami Celebration
ISKCON Temples are all around the word. International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrated Janmashtami with great enthusiasm and joy. There is a grand celebration at the time of Janmashtami. Although throughout the year the temple is decorated but at the time of Janmashtami the elaborated details make it more beautiful. The major celebration lasts all day, with numerous events taking place in addition to the puja. There is spiritual focus, devotees chanting Hare Krishna Mantras, reciting prayers thus making it more spiritual on this auspicious day.
In India, The ISKCON temples in Delhi and Vrindavan witness the massive gatherings, rituals and there is a great experience. Temples decorated with lights, cultural performances makes it a perfect spot to visit.
Not only the Indian ISKCON, but in different countries celebrated this day with a great enthusiasm. In United States, Major cities there have a vibrant ISKCON celebration. People parade featuring Krishna Idols, Cultural programs and community feast.
In Fiji, ISKCON organizes Janmashtami celebration that are known as Krishna Ashtami. Devotees offer special prayer and prepare traditional delicacies. It is a beautiful blend of cultural immersion, spirituality and a way to reconnect with Lord Krishna’s birth.
How to celebrate Janmashtami at home?
While the festival is celebrated all across the world in their own ways, most of them celebrate it at home. But how it can be done at home here are some Janmashtami celebration ideas:
•The first and the most common thing would be fasting for the festival till midnight. Generally people fast and consume water fruits and milk throughout the fast.
•Certain people perform and chant bhajan or kirtans at their home only instead of going to temple. One can also chant Hare Krishna Mantra.
•You can also decorate your temple, home with flower garlands, footsteps of infants etc.
•This is an auspicious day so you can whatever sweet you are making, you can offer to god first.
•Now a days everything is available at media so you can watch a broadcast show of people celebrating it in different ways.
•If possible dress your kid as Lord Krishna, It will be a great memory for children and a different way to celebrate the day.
•Abhishekam done in temples cam be done at home too, bathe your Krishna deity with curd, honey, milk etc and clothe them.