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When the Ashtami date of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month comes after the full moon of Shravan month, a supernatural joy spreads in the entire universe. This is the holy night when Leelamay Balkrishna is born in Yashoda’s courtyard. This day is not just a memory of an incarnation but an endless stream of religion, devotion, and love. Shri Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated all over the world as the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
This year Shri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on 16 August. According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious time of Ashtami will start from 11:49 pm on August 15 and will end at 09:34 pm the next day, i.e., August 16. Udayatithi has importance in the Sanatan tradition; hence, the Shri Krishna Janmashtami and Dahi Handi festivals will be celebrated on August 16.
According to religious texts, when adharma, sin, and injustice increase a lot on earth, then God incarnates on this earth to establish dharma. In Shrimad Bhagwat Geeta, Lord Shri Krishna has told Arjun—
Yada yada hi dharmasya glanirbhavati Bharata.
Abhyutthanamadharmasya tadatmanam srijaamyaham.॥
That is, whenever there is a loss of dharma and an increase of adharma, then I reveal myself.
In the Dwapar Yuga before the beginning of Kali Yuga, when Kansa’s atrocities were at their peak and the earth pleaded to God for protection, then Shri Hari resolved to take birth as the son of Vasudev and Devaki. In the dark midnight, heavy rain, deafening thunder and silent witness of nature, in the four walls of the prison, the divine incarnation of Shri Krishna took place in the prison of Mathura on the Ashtami Tithi, Rohini Nakshatra. Lord Shri Krishna was born on the Ashtami Tithi of the month of Bhadrapad, so every year on this date the Lord’s incarnation day is celebrated as Shri Krishna Janmashtami.
As soon as he was born, the Lord asked his father, Vasudev, to take him to Gokul, where he became the darling of Nand Baba and Yashoda Maiyya. The childhood leelas of naughty Kanha in the streets of Gokul are still alive in the hearts of devotees. In which incidents like stealing butter, dancing with gopis, dancing on Kaliya Nag, childish stubbornness with Yashoda, and Govardhan Puja leave an indelible impression on the people.
Spiritual secrets are hidden in each of his Leelas. Butter theft is not just the playfulness of a child’s mind, but a symbol of stealing butter from the heart of a devotee. The suppression of Kaliya Nag is an inspiration to destroy the poison of ego. Wearing Govardhan is a symbol of collective faith and the power of devotion.
On this day, take a bath as soon as you wake up in the morning and take a vow to fast while meditating on Lord Krishna. After this, decorate Lord Krishna’s swing with fragrant flowers for the night’s worship. After this, at midnight, anoint Lord Krishna with milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, Panchamrit and Ganga water, and also adorn him by dressing him in beautiful new clothes. Worship the Lord with all your heart by playing the conch and Ghadiyal and offer butter, sugar candy, and panjiri. Finally, finish the worship by performing Aarti and bow down and ask for blessings for a happy and prosperous life.
Lord Shri Krishna is not just an incarnation; he is an emotion—of love, compassion, knowledge, and salvation. Shrimad Bhagwat Gita, which is the sermon given to Arjun on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, is the best guide for life for humanity even today. In it, Shri Krishna showed Arjun the path to attain salvation by combining karma, devotion, and knowledge.
In India, the festival of Janmashtami is celebrated with great reverence, joy and devotion. Every temple, every street, every house becomes Shri Krishnamay. In pilgrimage places like Mathura, Gokul, Vrindavan, Dwarka, and Ujjain, the splendor of this festival is amazing. This is how to celebrate Janmashtami festival-
Vrat and Upvaas: Devotees observe fast throughout the day, eat fruits and listen to the stories of God.
Tables and Leelas: Tableaus related to the life of Shri Krishna are decorated, in which scenes like Bal Leela, Raas Leela are brought to life.
Dahi-Handi Festival: There is a tradition of Dahi-Handi especially in Maharashtra, where the leela of stealing butter is performed by a group of young men.
Abhishek: As soon as the time of Shri Krishna’s birth comes at night, in the temples, the Abhishek, Shringar and swing of Bal Gopal is offered with the echo of conch, bells and hymns.
Kirtan and Bhajan: Devotees sing hymns and kirtans, dance and remain absorbed in remembering Shri Krishna’s name throughout the night.
When we celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, it is not just a remembrance of the event; it is a time to awaken the ‘Krishna Tattwa’ hidden within the soul. When we imbibe the life of Shri Krishna, only then does he truly incarnate in our lives.
So, on this Janmashtami, let us bow our heads at the feet of Lord Krishna and say—
Krishnam Vande Jagadgurum!
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Aja Ekadashi is a very important festival in Hindu tradition, which is celebrated on the next day of Krishna Paksha and Shukla Paksha of every month.
