Janmashtami 2024: Is it on August 26 or 27? Know in details

Krishna Janmashtami, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, will be observed on August 26 and 27 this year. The festival’s exact date often causes confusion, so here’s a clear guide to the celebration.

Janmashtami Date: This year, Krishna Janmashtami falls on Monday, August 26. The celebration will continue into the next day with Dahi Handi on Tuesday, August 27. This timing follows the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Shraavana of Bhadrapad.

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Significance and History: Krishna Janmashtami marks the 5251st birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. According to legend, Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudev in a prison cell in Mathura, destined to defeat the demon king Kansa, who was terrorizing the land.

King Kansa had imprisoned Devaki and Vasudev after a prophecy warned that their eighth child would be his downfall. To prevent this, he killed their six children and imprisoned the couple. However, the seventh child’s birth was mystically transferred to Princess Rohini’s womb.

When Krishna was born, the palace fell into a deep sleep, and the prison gates opened magically. Vasudev carried the newborn Krishna to the home of Nand Baba and Yashodha in Vrindavan, exchanging Krishna with their own baby. Kansa later tried to kill the baby girl, who transformed into Durga and warned him of his fate. Krishna grew up in Vrindavan and eventually defeated Kansa, fulfilling the prophecy.

Celebrating Janmashtami involves various rituals including singing devotional songs, chanting mantras, and performing aarti. Devotees also decorate their homes and temples, and children often dress up as Krishna and Radha.

This festival not only honors the birth of Lord Krishna but also promotes devotion and unity among devotees.