Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024: Date, Time and Rituals
Shri Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most widely celebrated Sanatan Hindu festivals, celebrated by followers of Shri Krishna across the world. Also known as Janmashtami, it is the day when Shri Krishna appeared on earth as the 8th incarnation of Shri Hari Vishnu, the preserver of the world. Bhagwan Shri Krishna was the 8th child of his parents and is among the 10 avataras of Bhagwan Vishnu. He was born on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha (8th day of the dark moon phase) in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapad (July–August). According to some Hindu calendars, he appeared in the Hindu month of Shravan; however, the day is the same. This year, devotees will be celebrating the 5251st birth anniversary of Shri Krishna Bhagwan.
Hindus celebrate his birth and life on this day with much joy, devotion and reverence. Temples and deities are decorated; some devotees observe fast, and some enjoy it by having different types of savoury and sweets, so there is no strict rule that a devotee has to follow. However, usually, a large number of devotees observe fast the entire day and eat only after offering puja to the baal roop (in the form of a child) of Shri Krishna Bhagwan. People also worship him along with his consort, Radha Rani. Non-vegetarian food, onions, garlic and alcohol are completely prohibited on this day. Mostly, people prefer Satvik food, sweets, desserts, etc.
Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024: Date and Time
Following are the dates and timings for Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024:
- Krishna Janmashtami on Monday, August 26, 2024
- Nishita Puja Time: 12:01 AM to 12:45 AM, August 27
- Duration: 00 hours, 45 minutes.
- Dahi Handi: Tuesday, August 27, 2024
- Ashtami Tithi Begins: 03:39 AM on August 26, 2024
- Ashtami Tithi ends at 02:19 AM on August 27, 2024
- Rohini Nakshatra Begins: 03:55 PM on August 26, 2024
- Rohini Nakshatra ends at 03:38 PM on August 27, 2024
Shri Krishna Janmashtami Parana
- Parana Time: after 12:45 AM, August 27
- At many places, Parana is done after Nishita, i.e., midnight, as per Hindus.
- Mid-Night Moment: 12:23 AM, August 27
Since Shri Krishna Bhagwan took birth at midnight (12:00 am), the puja is offered at this time only.
Shri Krishna Janmashtami Rituals
- Wake up early in the morning.
- Your house and puja room should be clean before you start your puja rituals.
- Take a bath and then a sankalp to observe a strict fast with devotion if you plan to observe a fast.
- Give a snan to Laddoo Gopal (the child form of Shri Krishna) with plain water, gangajal and then panchamrit (milk, curd, honey, ghee and misri). Then again, bathe him with plain water.
- Dry the water on his body and adorn Laddoo Gopal with a new dress (pitambari), mukut, bansuri and mor pankh. And decorate him with flowers.
- Apply yellow Chandan tilak to his forehead.
- Take a wooden plank and place a yellow cloth on it. Decorate the plank with vibrant flowers and garlands.
- Now, make Laddoo Gopal sit on that plank and offer his sweets, fruits (5 different types), flowers, tulsi patra, panchamrit, and dry fruits. You can prepare different kinds of bhog to offer to your bhagwan. Devotees offer him 21, 31 and 56 bhogs on this auspicious day, especially whatever they feel Laddoo Gopal would love to eat.
- Devotees also make him sit on a swing and swing him like they swing their own children.
- Now, either you can get a pandit ji to do the puja for you or you can do it yourself, too.
- You can do bhajan, kirtan, and the path of Shri Krishna Bhagwan.
- You can chant “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaye.” or any mantra dedicated to Shri Krishna Bhagwan.
Also read: Shri Krishna Janmashtami Fasting Rules
Devotees observe fast, sing the hymn to Shri Krishna and Radha Rani, prepare different types of bhogs (sweets and deserts). Chant mantras dedicated to Shri Krishna Bhagwan; some also dance in happiness and offer puja with devotion. By offering puja and celebrating, devotees seek Shri Krishna’s blessings for a peaceful, happy, long, prosperous and successful life. His devotees believe that if you observe Janmashtami with full devotion, Bhagwan will eliminate all your problems and obstacles.
Bhog That You Can Offer to Baal Gopal
Shri Krishna’s devotees prepare a wide list of items on the day of Janmashtami. However, his favourites are mukhan misri (butter and sugar candy). Some of the special items prepared on this day are: coriander panjiri, makhan mishri, Makhana Paag, Charanamrit in sweets, dry fruit laddoos, mohan bhog, kheer, malpua, peda, different varieties of laddoos, gopalkala, halwa, panjiri, coconut laddoos, etc.
Mantras and Hymns to Chant on Janmashatami
The name of Shri Krishna itself is a Mahamantra and it is believed that by just taking his name, all your sins are washed away in this Kaliyug. You can chant his different names with full devotion. Also, you can chant the “Hare Krishna” Mahamantra. Recite “Madhurashtakam” for love and happiness in life. To follow Shri Krishna as Guru, recite the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. You can also recite “Gopal Sahastranam” to fulfil all your wishes. Apart from this, he also has some divine mantras.
- ऊँ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय नम:
- हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण, कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
- ऊँ कृष्णाय नम:
- ॐ कृष्णाय वासुदेवाय हरये परमात्मने ।। प्रणतः क्लेशनाशाय गोविंदाय नमो नमः।।
- ऊँ नमो भगवते श्रीगोविन्दाय नम:
- ॐ नमः भगवते वासुदेवाय कृष्णाय क्लेशनाशाय गोविंदाय नमो नमः।
- ॐ देविकानन्दनाय विधमहे वासुदेवाय धीमहि तन्नो कृष्ण:प्रचोदयात
- हरे कृष्ण, हरे कृष्ण, कृष्ण कृष्ण, हरे हरे राम, हरे राम, राम राम, हरे हरे
- ॐ नमो भगवते श्रीगोविन्दाय नम:
- You can also recite Shri Vishnu Sahastranam.
- People also sing the hymn of Radha Rani on this day.
