Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most popular and widely celebrated Hindu festivals, marking the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Krishna is considered the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu and is greatly revered among Hindus as a mischievous yet charming god.
Date and Time for Janmashtami in 2023
Janmashtami is celebrated every year on the Ashtami (8th day) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Shravan or Bhadrapad of the Hindu lunar calendar. This year, Janmashtami falls on September 6th as per the Hindu lunar calendar. Today, September 6, the Ashtami Tithi will start at 3:39 PM and continue until September 7 at 4:16 PM.
The festival is celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm all across India as well as in other parts of the world where there are Hindu communities. Homes and temples are decorated beautifully with flowers, lights, and colors. Here is more on the significance, celebrations, and rituals associated with this auspicious day.
Janmashtami mantras (जन्माष्टमी पर जरूर करें भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के मंत्र का जप और पाठ)
Chant and recite Lord Krishna’s mantras on Janmashtami (जन्माष्टमी पर भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के मंत्रों का जाप-पाठ अत्यंत महत्वपूर्ण है। इन मंत्रों से भगवान कृष्ण की कृपा प्राप्त होती है)-
- ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय नमः – Obeisances to Lord Vasudeva (Krishna)
- ॐ श्री कृष्णाय गोविन्दाय गोपीजन वल्लभाय नमः – Salutations to Lord Krishna, Govinda, beloved of the cowherds.
- ॐ श्री कृष्णाय नमः – Salutations to Lord Krishna.
Chanting and reciting Lord Krishna’s mantras on Janmashtami is very important. These mantras help obtain Lord Krishna’s blessings and grace.
On this auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, be sure to chant these powerful Krishna mantras. They will help connect with the divine and bring positivity into your life.
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Significance and Mythology behind Krishna Janmashtami
According to mythology, Krishna was born at midnight in the prison cellar of the tyrant King Kansa of Mathura. Kansa was foretold that the 8th son of his sister Devaki would kill him. Hence, he imprisoned Devaki and her husband Vasudeva and killed their first six children as soon as they were born.
When Krishna was born as the 8th child, Vasudeva managed to sneak him out across the Yamuna river to Vrindavan where he was raised by foster parents Nanda and Yashoda. People celebrate Janmashtami to commemorate the birth of their beloved deity and his miraculous escape from Kansa’s prison.
Major Celebrations and Rituals in Janmashtami
- Temples are elaborately decorated and special Krishna puja rituals are performed, especially at midnight which is believed to be Krishna’s exact birth time. Devotees sing bhajans, chant slokas and bathe the infant Krishna idol.
- People observe fasts the entire day until midnight when they break it by enjoying panchamrit (a sweet dish made of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) as prasad.
- Handi (pot) breaking ceremony is organized in temples and communities where a pot of curd or butter is hung high up. Young men form human pyramids to break the pot and share the contents as prasad. This is symbolic of Krishna stealing butter as a child.
- Many Hindus also draw tiny footprints signifying baby Krishna’s feet and lead them into their homes.
- Dance performances depicting Krishna Leela (life and deeds) are held such as the traditional Raslila where dancers enact the love affair between Krishna and Radha.
- In Maharashtra, visually appealing human pyramids are formed where each layer depicts a particular scene from Krishna’s life. This activity is known as Dahi Handi.
Janmashtami Celebrations Across India
- Mathura and Vrindavan, being Lord Krishna’s birth and dwelling place, celebrate Janmashtami with utmost zeal through massive processions, raaslila dances, and special arti.
- In Mumbai, the Dahi Handi festivities are world-famous. Various groups compete with each other to form the tallest human pyramids.
- In Gujarat, people swing baby Krishna in beautifully decorated palanquins and sing devotional songs.
- Southern states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu prepare a variety of vegetarian delicacies to offer to Lord Krishna on this day.
At the ISKCON Temples, the festivities are in full swing.
Janmashtami is soaked in vibrant colors, joyous festivities, wonderful food, and soulful bhajans that transport devotees into the charming world of Shri Krishna. The festival ignites great devotion and unites people in their celebration of Lord Krishna’s timeless grace and divine deeds. It is a day to reflect on God’s love and share happiness with others.
