Shri Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Janmashtami, Krishna Ashtami, or Gokul Ashtami. It is one of the largely enjoyed and most awaited festivals all around the world. This Hindu festival commemorates the birth of Supreme Godhead Shri Krishna. He is also known as the 8th Avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. It is an annual festival celebrated enthusiastically.
When is Janmashtami celebrated?
Janmashtami is celebrated on the 8th day of the dark lunar fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu Calendar. It usually comes either in August or September.
Story of Shri Krishna Janmashtami
The story about Janmashtami begins in the ancient city of Mathura, ruled by the oppressive King Kansa. A prophecy foretold that Kansa would be killed by his sister Devaki’s eighth child. Kansa was fearful, so he imprisoned Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva. He killed their first six children brutally. Lord Balarama, the seventh child, was transferred to the womb of Vasudeva’s second wife Rohini, miraculously.
On the night of Shri Krishna’s birth, a divine voice instructed Vasudeva. He took the newborn Shri Krishna across the Yamuna River to the village of Gokul, where he would be safe. By the grace of Shri Krishna’s Yog Maya, the prison guards fell asleep, and the doors unlocked. Vasudeva carried baby Shri Krishna in a basket. Just as he crossed the Yamuna, the river parted and allowed him to pass safely. In Gokul, Vasudeva left Shri Krishna in the care of Nanda and Yashoda, who raised him as their own son.
Lord Krishna’s childhood was full of divine miracles and playful moments. All the villagers endeared him. As he grew, he eventually returned to Mathura to defeat Kansa. He finally defeated Kansa and liberated his parents.
Important Timings on Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024
This year, Lord Krishna Janmashtami 2024 is falling on August 26, Monday. The festival’s key timings and rituals are integral to its observance. It ensures devotees to celebrate with proper reverence.
Timings for Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024
– Janmashtami Tithi falls on: August 26, 2024, at 4:49 PM
– Rohini Nakshatra starts: August 26, 2024, at 6:25 AM
– Rohini Nakshatra ends: August 27, 2024, at 6:08 AM
– Janmashtami Celebration Time: August 26, 2024, from 11:15 PM to 12:01 AM (August 27)
How to Celebrate ISKCON Janmashtami 2024
There are numerous ways we can celebrate ISKCON Janmashtami enthusiastically.
1. Preparation and Decoration
Cleaning and maintenance of the house:
– Cleaning and making easy decoration of Janmashtami at home and place of worship (ritual worship) thoroughly.
– Decorate with flowers, rangoli (coloured floor patterns), and festoons of mango leaves or other cultural materials.
Swing (Swing) Movements:
– Arrange a small swing (Jhula) which is decorated with flowers and clothes. It should represent the idol of baby Shri Krishna.
– Place baby Shri Krishna statues or images on the swing carefully.
2. Fasting and devotional work
Observance of fasting:
Devotees fast throughout the day. It can be a complete fast (without food and water) or a partial fast (with fruits and milk).
Nirjala Vrat: This is the most difficult form of fasting. The devotee abstains from both food and water for the whole duration of Janmashtami.
Phalahar Vrat: In this type of fast, devotees have only fruits and milk. This is a common practice for them. They may find it hard to have a complete fast.
Bhajan Kirtan Songs:
-Sing devotional songs (bhajans) and Stutis dedicated to Lord Krishna.
– Organize kirtans (devotional singing sessions) to engage the community.
Reading the Scriptures:
– Read from Bhagavad Gita, Bhagavad Purana, and other texts that explain the life teachings of Shri Krishna.
– Devotees offer prayers and chant 16 rounds of Shri Hare Shri Krishna Mahamantra, i.e.
Hare Shri Krishna Hare Shri Krishna Shri Krishna Shri Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
3. Sanskarpooja (worship)
Midnight Celebration & Worship:
– Shri Krishna’s birth time auspicious midnight special worship.
– Bathing Shri Krishna’s idol with Panchamrita (a mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, butter, and sugar) and then with water.
– Dressing the idol in new clothes and decorating it with ornaments and flowers.
Prasad offered:
– Prepare and offer various sweets, fruits, and food as Prasad (sacred food) to Shri Krishna.
– Popular offerings include makhan (butter), misri (sugar crystals), and khir (sweet rice pudding).
The Arti Festival:
– Perform Arti (ritual of waving lamps) while chanting Shri Krishna Arti Geetam.
– After puja, distribute prasad to family members and devotees.
4. Importance of Donations on Janmashtami
Donations on Janmashtami bring spiritual and material benefits. They cleanse the giver’s mind and soul. Giving selflessly enhances one’s sense of fulfilment. This act aligns with Shri Krishna’s teachings on selflessness. It creates positive karma and spiritual growth. Celebrating Janmashtami with charity brings divine blessings.
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.11.41
Sloka:
तस्मान्न भक्त्या त्वय्यर्थं श्रद्दधतेऽनुपूर्वश:।
आत्मप्रदक्षिणो यस्तु त्यजेत् तस्यात्मनो हितम्॥
Transliteration:
tasmān na bhaktyā tvayy arthaṁ śraddadhate ‘nupūrvaśaḥ
ātma-pradakṣiṇo yas tu tyajet tasyātmano hitam
Meaning:
“People with devotion and faith should donate to the Supreme godhead and his devotees. Such charity, offered with faith and devotion, leads to one’s spiritual well-being.”
(Bhagavad Gita 9.26):
Sloka
स पत्रं पुष्पं फलं तोयं यो मे भक्त्या प्रयच्छति।
तदहं भक्त्युपहृतमश्नामि प्रयतात्मन:॥
Transliteration
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ
Meaning
“If someone provides me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.”
5. Cultural Celebrations
Rasleela and Drama:
-Wear costumes and perform Shri Krishna’s pastimes adventurous deeds.
– Children and adults dress up as characters from Lord Shri Krishna’s Life and perform.
Dahi Handi:
In some communities, especially in Maharashtra, the tradition of Dahihandi (pot breaking) is celebrated.
-Earthen pots filled with curd, butter, and money are suspended from the sky, and groups build human pyramids to reach and demolish them, symbolizing Shri Krishna’s love for butter
Community Involvement:
– Involve the community in celebrating by organizing group meetings, singing, dancing and sharing stories about Shri Krishna.
6. Closing of the Festival
Breaking the fast:
-After the midnight service, the offering of breaking the fast was offered.
– Share the festive meal with family and friends.
How to celebrate Janmashtami at home
What if you cannot visit a temple or take part in a grand celebration? You can celebrate Janmashtami at home. Shri Krishna values sincere devotion, which you can offer anywhere. Here are some tips to celebrate Janmashtami at home.
Send an invitation to friends and family to join the celebration. Decorating your home can be fun, especially for kids. Encourage children for making flowers, hanging balloons, and decorating home.
Get the Vaishnava scripture and sing your favorite bhajans (devotional songs). Shri Krishna, known as Muralidhar, was fond of music. Play music CDs to enhance the spiritual atmosphere.
Another round of Hare Krishna mantra chanting on the mala (prayer beads). This brings them into a close relationship with Shri Krishna.
If you have Shri Radha and Krishna deities, get special new clothes and decorate their altars. Repeat the temple routine and perform Abhishek (bathing ceremony). You can use curd, honey, ghee and fruit juice while singing devotional songs.
Cooking special meals for the Lord is a wonderful idea. Imagine Shri Krishna in your house—what would you offer him?
Perform Aarti (worship ceremony) at midnight and kirtan, when Shri Krishna appears on earth. Whatever you can do, give it with love and devotion, even if it is easy.
Buy special gifts for Shri Krishna, such as jewellery, clothes, flowers, or fruit.
Engage kids in activities like flower & card making, dancing and chanting Hare Krishna. They can dress up as Shri Radha or Krishna, and their associates. They re-enact Shri Krishna’s pastimes to create a festive mood.
These are some of the ways to celebrate Janmashtami at home.
Conclusion
Janmashtami is a vibrant and profound spiritual festival. He celebrates the divine birth of Shri Krishna with great devotion. The celebration includes fasting, music and midnight worship. Prasad is lovingly prepared and served by devotees. Community activities like games and Dahi Handi add to the fun. What matters is based on devotion and unselfish charity. Janmashtami celebrations enhance spiritual growth and communal harmony. It reinforces Lord Shri Krishna’s teachings of love and compassion.
