Mark Your Calendar: Janmashtami 2024 Date, Timings, Rituals, and Festive Celebrations for Lord Krishna’s Birthday
Janmashtami 2024 Date: On Monday, August 26, 2024, Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated to mark the 5251st birthday of Lord Krishna. This special day is celebrated with great devotion and joy across India. Here’s everything you need to know about the date, rituals, and celebrations for this important festival.
Krishna Janmashtami 2024: Date and Timings
- Date: Monday, August 26, 2024
- Nishita Puja Time: 12:01 AM to 12:45 AM on August 27, 2024
- Dahi Handi: Tuesday, August 27, 2024
- Parana Time: After 12:45 AM on August 27, 2024
- Ashtami Tithi Starts: 03:39 AM on August 26, 2024
- Ashtami Tithi Ends: 02:19 AM on August 27, 2024
- Rohini Nakshatra Starts: 03:55 PM on August 26, 2024
- Rohini Nakshatra Ends: 03:38 PM on August 27, 2024
Janmashtami Rituals
- Pre-Festival Fast: Devotees usually start a one-meal fast the day before Janmashtami. On the festival day, they continue fasting until the midnight rituals are performed. The fast is formally begun with a declaration of intention.
- Ending the Fast: The fast is traditionally ended either on Ashtami Tithi or Rohini Nakshatra. Many people choose to break their fast during Nishita Kaal, which is the midnight time considered most auspicious for worship.
- Midnight Puja: The midnight prayers and rituals are the highlight of the festival and are considered the best time to worship Krishna.
Significance of Janmashtami
Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Krishna on the eighth day of the dark phase of the moon in the month of Bhadrapada. This festival is more than just a celebration; it’s a time to remember Krishna’s teachings and his role as a guide. It encourages living a righteous and devoted life.
How to Celebrate Janmashtami
Celebrations for Janmashtami are lively and colorful, especially in Krishna’s birthplace of Mathura and Vrindavan:
- Temple Decorations: Temples are beautifully decorated with flowers and lights. These decorations often include detailed designs and motifs that tell stories of Krishna’s life.
- Public Events: People take part in processions, sing devotional songs, and act out scenes from Krishna’s life. The festival includes plays and performances about Krishna’s childhood and his battles with demons.
- Home Celebrations: Homes are decorated with bright lights and floral arrangements. Krishna’s life and stories are depicted through paintings and storytelling.
Janmashtami is a joyful time to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth, with special rituals and festive activities that bring people together in devotion and happiness.
News Source : Business Standard
