Janmashtami Festival 2024, Date, Rituals, Celebrations & Worship

Janmashtami Festival 2024, Date, Rituals, Celebrations & Worship

Janmashtami is also known as Shri Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami which is celebrated as the birthday celebration of Lord Shri Krishna. People celebrate this special day of the birth of Lord Shri Krishna with great enthusiasm and happiness. Janmashtami is celebrated in different ways in many places, and every state of the country. Some people observe fast for the whole day without food and water, perform puja, take holy baths, Dahi Handi game is organized and a tableau of Shri Krishna Leela is taken out and Lord Shri Krishna is worshipped. This year Janmashtami will be celebrated on Monday, 26 August 2024.

Janmashtami Festival 2024

Janmashtami Date in 2024

In 2024, Janmashtami will be celebrated on Monday, August 26. The exact date of Janmashtami varies each year as it is determined based on the Hindu lunar calendar. It falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Bhadrapada.

How Janmashtami is Celebrates

Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially in regions like Mathura, Vrindavan, and Dwarka, which are closely associated with the life of Lord Krishna. The celebrations typically include the following activities:

Fasting on Janmashtami : Devotees observe a fast throughout the day, which is broken only at midnight, the believed time of Krishna's birth. Some keep a complete fast, while others consume fruits, milk, and other non-cereal foods.

Bhajan and Kirtan: Devotional songs and hymns dedicated to Krishna are sung in temples and homes. Bhajans (devotional songs) and Kirtans (call-and-response chanting) create a spiritually charged atmosphere, celebrating the divine presence of Krishna.

Rasa Lila and Dahi Handi:In many parts of India, especially in Maharashtra, the festival is marked by the enactment of Rasa Lila (dramatic enactments of Krishna’s youthful pranks) and Dahi Handi (a tradition of forming human pyramids to break a pot of curd hung at a height). These activities symbolize Krishna's playful and mischievous nature.

Midnight Celebrations: As Krishna is believed to have been born at midnight, temples and homes are beautifully decorated, and the idol of infant Krishna is placed in a cradle and worshipped with great reverence. The atmosphere is filled with the chanting of "Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya" and other mantras.

Feasting: After the midnight Puja, devotees break their fast and share a variety of sweets and delicacies, often made with milk and butter, which are favorites of Lord Krishna.

How to Worship of Lord Krishna on Janmashtami

The worship of Lord Krishna during Janmashtami is a deeply spiritual and ritualistic affair. The day starts with bathing the deity with Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar), followed by dressing the idol in new clothes and adorning it with flowers and jewelry.

Some rituals follows on Janmashtami 

Abhishekam: The ceremonial bathing of Krishna’s idol with holy water, milk, and other auspicious liquids. It is performed at midnight, symbolizing the birth of Krishna.

Arti: The waving of lighted lamps before the idol of Krishna accompanied by the singing of devotional songs. The Arti is performed with great devotion to invoke the blessings of Krishna.

Offering of Prasadam: Various food items, especially those made from dairy products like butter and yogurt, are offered to Krishna as Prasadam. These offerings are later distributed among devotees as a sacred blessing.

Reading of Bhagavad Gita: Many devotees read or listen to the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred text that contains the teachings of Krishna. It is considered an auspicious act to engage with Krishna's divine words on this day.

Best Wishes of Janmashtami 

Janmashtami is an occasion to express good wishes to friends, family, and fellow devotees. Here are some thoughtful messages you can share:

"May Lord Krishna steal all your worries and give you peace, happiness, and prosperity on this Janmashtami. Happy Krishna Janmashtami!"

"On this Janmashtami, may all your wishes come true and may Nand Gopal bless you with everlasting happiness. Happy Janmashtami!"

"May the divine grace of Lord Krishna be with you today and always. Happy Krishna Janmashtami!"

"Wishing you a life filled with love, peace, and happiness. Happy Janmashtami!"

"Let’s celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna with full fervor and enthusiasm. Happy Janmashtami!"

Why we Celebrate Janmashtami 

Janmashtami is celebrated to honor the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered the preserver and protector of Dharma (righteousness). Krishna's life and teachings have had a profound influence on Hindu philosophy and culture.

Janmashtami is not just a festival; it is a day to reflect on the divine teachings of Krishna, seek his blessings, and celebrate the joy of his presence in our lives. The festival brings people together in a collective expression of devotion, faith, and the eternal pursuit of righteousness.