Janmashtami 2020, Janmashtami 2020 Date
Who is Krishna?
Sri Krishna is regarded as the one of the most powerful and highly revered eighth human incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Krishna is usually depicted with a flute in his hand is mainly worshipped in some prominent locations across India such as Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, the Jagannatha aspect in Odisha, Mayapur in West Bengal, Dwarka and Junagadh in Gujarat, in the form of Vithoba in Pandharpur, Maharashtra, Nathdwara in Rajasthan, Udupi Krishna in Karnataka and Guruvayur in Kerala. Krishna is worshipped in the world because of the efforts of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).
Where was Krishna born?
Born in Mathura, Sri Krishna's birth signified the end of demons. Sri Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in a prison in the Kansa's captivity. Krishna's father Vasudev, handed over his child at the time of his birth to his brother Nand to save Krishna from the demon King Kansa. Krishna was born in Mathura but grew up in Gokul where later on he killed his uncle, King Kansa.
Who was Vasudeva?
As per Bhagavata Purana, Vasudeva, son of the Yadav king Shurasena, was the father of Krishna, and his siblings Balarama and Subhadra. Vasudeva was the brother of Nanda Baba, who took care of Krishna during his early years as a child. His other brother Devashrava is the actual father of Ekalavya who played a significant role in Mahabharata. His sister Kunti was married to Pandu.Who was Devaki?
Devaki was the daughter of Devak, sister of Kamsa, wife of Vasudeva and mother of Krishna. Kamsa escorted the newly-weds to Mathura and drove their chariot. A celestial voice proclaims that "The eighth child of Devaki that you are ferrying shall become your death!" Kamsa got angered and rises to kill Devaki but is stopped by Vasudeva who promises to deliver each child to Kamsa as soon as they are born.Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex
The Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex is a group of Hindu temples in Mallapura, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, India. These temples are built around the place where Sri Krishna is said to have been born.What is Krishna Janmashtami?
Krishna Janmashtami is the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in India and the whole world. Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, Shrikrishna Jayanti or simply Janmashtami. It is celebrated on the Ashtami tithi of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapad month. Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Satam Atham in Gujarat and Krishna Janmashtami is observed as Ashtami Rohini in South India mainly in Kerala.
Krishna is Devaki and Vasudeva's son and his birthday is celebrated by Hindus all over the world as Janmastami, the followers of ISCKON and Gaudiya Vaishnavism celebrate it with immense devotion and religious fervour.
Krishna was born at the time when evil was everywhere, and when he was to be killed by his uncle King Kansa. Krishna's father Vasudeva takes him across Yamuna immediately at the time he was born in Mathura, to foster parents in Gokul, named Nanda and Yashoda.
After Krishna is born at the exact midnight time, the statue of baby Krishna is washed and clothed, then placed in a cradle.
Krishna temples across India and even the world organize events in honour of Lord Krishna where songs in praise of the Lord are sung and scriptures from Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita are recited. In Hindi we say "Kab Hai Janmashtami", you can find the Janmashtami 2020 date along with other years.
How is Janmashtami celebrated? - Significance of Janmashtami
Janmashtami celebration takes place during the midnight as Sri Krishna was born on a dark, stormy night to end the attrocities and violence of his uncle, Kansa. People celebrate it with devotional songs and dances, pujas, Krishna arti, mantra, blowing of the Conch and moving the baby Krishna's cradle.
Janmashtami celebration at Mathura and Vrindavan, are so special as these are the places where Sri Krishna had spent his life when he was born and grew up. Krishna has an important role in Mahabharata and preached about bhakti and good karma and is well known to have narrated Bhagwat Geeta to Arjuna. Bhagwat Gita has guiding principles for not only Hindu's but for the whole world.
Janmashtami is observed since the birth of Sri Krishna. Janmashtami is the 5200+ years old celebration of the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. It would be the 5250th birth anniversary of Lord Krishna in 2023 as per vedic time.
Krishna Janmashtami is of high significance in most Krishna temples. Janmashtami is like a household celebration in Krishna temples. As Mathura, Vrindavan and Dwarka are associated with Sri Krishna, Krishna Janmastami celebration in these places is like the birth anniversary of one of their family member.
Janmashtami Deity(s)
Which God is worshipped on Janmashtami?
Lord Krishna is worshipped on the day of Janmashtami. As it is the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the child form of Lord Krishna, also known as Bal Gopal and Laddu Gopal, are worshipped on the day of Krishna Janamashtami. Along with Child Lord Krishna, the biological parents of Lord Krishna i.e. Vasudeva and Devaki, the foster parents of Lord Krishna i.e. Nanda and Yashoda and the siblings of Lord Krishna i.e. Balabhadra (Lord Balarama) and Subhadra are also worshipped during Janmashtami Puja.
Janmashtami Date and Time
- Krishna Janamashtami falls on Krishna Paksha Ashtami (23rd day) of Shravana (5th month) as per Amanta Hindu Calendar
- Krishna Janmashtami falls on Krishna Paksha Ashtami (23rd day) of Bhadrapada (6th month) as per Purnimanta Calendar
However Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the same day in both calendars.
Janmashtami Festivals
Janmashtami is celebrated for 2 days at some places
Day 1 – Krishna Janamashtami
Day 2 – Dahi Handi
What is to be done on Janmashtami? or How Janmashtami is observed?
- Janamashtami is a day long fast. Some people fast and some not but everybody worship Sri Krishna
- Bal Krishna is worshipped during midnight as that time is considered to be the time when Krishna was born
- People visit Krishna temples
- Sweet dishes are prepared made of milk products and given to Sri Krishna to eat ( for bhog)
Janmashtami Celebration in North, South India
People in India celebrate Krishna Janmashtami as per Lunar Calendar mostly in North India but some temples in South India observe Krishna Janmashtami as per Solar Calendar. Janmashtami date as per on Lunar Calendar and Janmashtami date as per Solar Calendar might differ up to one month.
Krishna Janmashtami is popularly known as Ashtami Rohini in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and a few parts of Karnataka as per Solar Calendar.
Janmashtami Similar Festivals
Ashtami Rohini – Krishna Janmashtami in Kerala
Dahi Handi – traditional play of Lord Krishna
Krishna Janmashtami 2020 Date
Do you want to know about Janmashtami Date, here we have mentioned the Krishna Janmashtami Puja Muhurat and ISKCON Janmashtami Puja Muhurat:
Krishna Janmashtami Puja Muhurat5247th Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna
Krishna Janmashtami 2020 Date - Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Nishita Puja Time - 12:05 AM to 12:48 AM, Aug 12
Duration - 00 Hours 44 Mins
Dahi Handi on Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Parana as per Dharma Shastra
Parana Time - after 11:16 AM, Aug 12
On Parana Day Ashtami Tithi End Time - 11:16 AM
Janmashtami without Rohini Nakshatra
Alternate Parana as per Dharma Shastra
Parana Time - after 05:53 AM, Aug 12
Parana can be done on next day sunrise after Deva Puja, Visarjan etc.
Parana as per modern tradition in society
Parana Time - after 12:48 AM, Aug 12
at many places in India, Parana is done after Nishita i.e. Hindu midnight
Mid Night Moment - 12:26 AM, Aug 12
Chandrodaya Moment - 11:40 PM Krishna Dashami
Ashtami Tithi Begins - 09:06 AM on Aug 11, 2020
Ashtami Tithi Ends - 11:16 AM on Aug 12, 2020
Rohini Nakshatra Begins - 03:27 AM on Aug 13, 2020
Rohini Nakshatra Ends - 05:22 AM on Aug 14, 2020
ISKCON Janmashtami Puja Muhurat
ISKCON Krishna Janmashtami 2020 Date - Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Nishita Puja Time - 12:04 AM to 12:48 AM, Aug 13
Duration - 00 Hours 44 Mins
Parana Time as per ISKCON
Parana Time - after 05:53 AM, Aug 13
Janmashtami without Rohini Nakshatra
On Parana Day Ashtami got over before Sunrise
Mid Night Moment - 12:26 AM, Aug 13
Chandrodaya Moment - 12:16 AM, Aug 13 Krishna Dashami
Ashtami Tithi Begins - 09:06 AM on Aug 11, 2020
Ashtami Tithi Ends - 11:16 AM on Aug 12, 2020
Rohini Nakshatra Begins - 03:27 AM on Aug 13, 2020
Rohini Nakshatra Ends - 05:22 AM on Aug 14, 2020
Fasting Rules on Krishna Janmashtami
How to fast on Krishna Janmashtami?
People who are fasting on Janmashtami must have the only single meal a day before Janmashtami. On the day of Janmastami, devotees take Sankalpa to observe a day-long fast and break it on the next day when both Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi are over. Some break the fast when either Rohini Nakshatra or Ashtami Tithi is over. Those who are fasting on janmastami must take Sankalpa after completing morning rituals and the day-long fast starts with Sankalpa.
Nishita Kaal or the time of midnight is the time to do Krishna Puja as per vedic rituals. Full puja rituals are observed during midnight involving all sixteen steps which are part of Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi.
One who fast must not eat any grains during Janmashtami fasting until the fast is broken on the next day after Sunrise. It simply means follow the rules of Ekadashi fasting, the rules are the same for Janmashtami fasting. Parana or breaking the fast must be done at an appropriate time. You do Krishna Janmashtami fasting for the whole day and then Parana is done on next day after Sunrise when Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra are gone. If Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra are not over before Sunset then Janmastami fast can be broken during the daytime when either Ashtami Tithi or Rohini Nakshatra is completed. If Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra are not over before Sunset or even Hindu Midnight (called as Nishita Time) one should wait to get them over before breaking the fast.
Krishna Janmashtami fast might continue for two complete days as its based on the end time of Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra. It is mentioned in Hindu religious text Dharmasindhu that people who are not able to fast on two consecutive days can break the fast on next day after Sunrise.
Names of Krishna Janmashtami
Two Krishna Janmashtami Dates
Sometimes, Krishna Janmashtami falls on two consecutive days. The first day is for Smarta Sampradaya and the second janmastami date is for Vaishanava Sampradaya. If Krishna Janmashtami falls on a single day, it means both Sampradaya would observe Janmashtami on the same date.
After Krishna Janmashtami, then comes the Nandotsav festival, which was the time Nanda Baba distributed gifts to the villagers in honour of the Sri Krishna birth.
Janmashtami in Maharashtra
In Maharashtra and western states of India, the Dahi Handi tradition is played out as a community tradition after Janmashtami, where pots of yoghurt are hung high up, sometimes with tall poles or from ropes hanging from second or third level of a building. After that, teams of youth which includes boys as well as girls called the "Govindas" go around to these hanging pots, climb one over another and form a human pyramid, then break the pot. A large gathering of people can be seen cheering for their teams. Prize money as well as gifts are also given to the winners. Many companies also sponsor this event and TV channels also shows the govinda's forming a human pyramid and breaking the Dahi Handi live. The contents in the Dahi Handi pot is regarded as Prasada of the deity.
Over 4,000 handis in Mumbai alone were high hung with prizes, and a number of Govinda teams participated in the earlier years.
Janmashtami in Gujarat and Rajasthan
In Dwarka, Gujarat where Krishna is believed to have established his kingdom, people celebrate the festival with a tradition similar to Dahi Handi, known as Makhan Handi (pot with freshly churned butter). Also perform folk dances at temples, sing bhajans, visit the Krishna temples. Dwarkadhish Temple or Nathdwara is over filled by devotees. Farmers in the Kutch region, decorate their bullock carts and take out Krishna processions, with group singing and dancing.
There are so many customs based on stories from Krishna's life. Krishna loved butter and milk so much when he was a child but as he stole butter and milk from his home and numerous households, it kept out of his reach. In Krishna's child pictures, it is often shown as he is eating butter placed in pots or holding a ball of butter in his hands.
Oiled poles with pots of money tied to the top are set up in Tamil Nadu. Children dressed as Krishna then try to climb these poles to get the money while the audience throws water at them.
The festival of Dahi Handi is widely known in Maharashtra, where pots containing buttermilk are tied high over streets. Teams of boys known as as Govinda's then form human pyramids competing against each other to see who can break the most pots.
In Krishna's other pictures, he is seen playing flute and sometimes with Radha and cows also.
