krishna janmashthmi 2024

Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna, is not just a day of religious significance, but it also has lots of social and cultural implications. As the name itself suggests, this falls on the eighth day of the Krishna paksha (waning moon cycle). Shri Krishna is also considered to be the eighth birth of Lord Vishnu. It is also known as Gokulashtami as Shri Krishna spent his childhood in Gokul. It is said that Lord Vishnu came to earth on this day to rid the world of evil and to lead the people towards dharma, duty, and righteousness. Let us take a look at Janmashtami 2024.

When is Janmashtami 2024 Date

Janmashtami is celebrated in the month of Bhadrapada, on the eighth day of Krishna paksha. This lunar month generally falls in August or September in the English calendar. Krishna Janmashtami 2024 will fall on 26th August which will be a Monday this year. As always it will be celebrated with great fervor and enthusiasm for this is one festival that touches the hearts of all, the young and the old. 

The History of Janmashtami: The Story

The history of Janmashtami can be traced back to more than 5000 years ago. Shri Krishna was born in a prison to Devaki and Vasudev in Mathura. Raja Kansa, Devaki’s brother, had imprisoned his parents. Raja Kansa feared the divine prophecy that the eighth child of his sister would destroy him. However, all the shackles and prison doors opened miraculously on Krishna’s birth and Vasudeva was able to cross the Yamuna River in heavy rain and take him safely to Gokul. There he was brought up by Nanda and Yashoda. For centuries the stories of his childhood have enthralled people and he is also fondly known as Nand Lal. Janmashtami history reinforces our belief in the concept of good defeating evil.

Significance of Janmashtami:

Among all the festivals celebrated by Hindus, Janmashtami holds a special significance. But why is Janmashtami celebrated with such pomp and grandeur?  Shri Krishna was born at midnight which is the time when evil forces are at their peak. He was born to destroy evil and the tyranny of Raja Kansa. His birth at midnight signifies that it is always possible to stand up against evil and fight for righteousness. The events that followed his birth show how even the worst situations can be overcome. His whole life, from the day he was born, was filled with forces that tried to eliminate him. Yet he emerged victorious and set an example of dharma, righteousness, and compassion for centuries to come. His teachings focus on doing one’s duty diligently and following the path of truth. It highlights the need for love, compassion, and sacrifice in our lives. The significance of Janmashtami lies in the values that Shri Krishna elucidated.

How to Celebrate Janmashtami 2024

People generally celebrate Janmashtami with revelry and a replay of Shri Krishna’s mischievous childhood. It is customary to observe a fast on the day of Janmashtami which is broken at the birth of Shri Krishna. This momentous event is re-enacted in all major temples dedicated to Shri Krishna. If you want to know how to celebrate Janmashtami, then here are some of the common ways:

  1. Fasting: The day begins with cleansing oneself and a ninja fast wherein no food or water is taken throughout the day. Some people prefer to abstain only from cereals and grains and may eat fruits, milk, and so on. The fast is broken at midnight after the birth of Shri Krishna.
  2. Jhankis or decorations: It is customary to decorate homes and temples on this day. These decorations often display the scene of Shri Krishna’s birth or events from his childhood. Shri Krishna is often depicted with a peacock feather in his mukut (crown) and playing the flute. It is said that his flute playing charmed everyone around him.
  3. Practices at midnight: At some places, a cucumber is cut and a tiny idol of Shri Krishna is kept in between, denoting the birth of the Lord from Devaki. The idol is bathed in water and milk. He is then dressed in beautiful new clothes and placed in a baby cradle.
  4. Offerings: Various sweets and dishes are offered as bhog and enjoyed by all as prasad. These may include kheer (milk pudding), panjiri (dry sweet dish made of wheat flour), panchamrit (sweet curd), laddoos (round sweets made of chickpea flour), peda (made of thickened milk), makhana paag (foxnuts dipped in sweet syrup), etc. 
  5. Dahi Handi: This is another event that attracts and includes the youth in the celebration of Janmashtami. In this event, an earthen pot or handi is filled with dahi (curd) and hung at a height. Youngsters build a pyramid to reach the handi and may be rewarded with gifts or cash for breaking it. This event is a replay of the Lord’s childhood. Shri Krishna was very fond of dahi, butter, and other milk products and was known to break handis as a child to get them.
  6. School events: Often schools organize a fancy dress competition around the theme of Janmashtami. It is customary to dress children as little Krishna and they may be seen wearing peacock feathers in their caps and holding flutes. Some may dress as Radha, his childhood friend.
  7. Performances at community level: Another way to celebrate Janmashtami 2024 is through performances. Special skits and dances are often organized in every mohalla or colony. These often include his childhood escapades like stealing butter which was his favourite food. Some focus on his playful friendship with the gopis, especially Radha. They are a way of reminding the younger generation of the values that Shri Krishna symbolizes. 
  8. Pilgrimage on Janmastami 2024: Devotees throng temples at midnight to witness the birth of their beloved Lord Krishna. The most revered temples are at Mathura and Vrindavan where lakhs of devotees may visit on this special day. Nowadays, there is a direct telecast in TV of the birth festivities at major temples across the country. 

With time, modern trends have emerged in Janmashtami celebrations. The young today wish to celebrate Janmashtami in their own way. Traditional performances are now infused with new and contemporary dance forms. One can find many reels and posts on social media where people share their celebrations and decorations with everyone.

But for the truly devout the celebrations are more than just breaking dahi handi and fasting. Janmashtami 2024 is a way to remember the principles that Shri Krishna set out in the Bhagwad Gita. It is also about following his message of dharma, devotion, love and to become a seeker of knowledge. It reminds us that all challenges and hardships can be overcome with courage and by following the path of dharma. Janmashtami 2024 celebrations, as always, will be infused with deep spirituality and a connection with divinity.

Conclusion

In the places that are associated with the life of Shri Krishna, namely, Mathura, Dwaraka, and Vrindavan, there is an altogether different level of devotion and fervor at Janmashtami. 

Krishna, the Sarthi of Arjun in Mahabharata, Krishna who guides us through life even today through Bhagwad Gita, Krishna who teaches us about true friendship, Krishna who establishes righteousness against evil, Krishna who symbolizes love and sacrifice, is one of the most beloved avatars of Lord Vishnu. By celebrating the birth of Krishna, we remember and reaffirm our faith in him.

Today, more than ever, we need to remember and inculcate the lessons learned from his life into ours. At Janmashtami 2024 let us make a resolution to follow the path of dharma and compassion to make this world a better place.

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