Krishna Janmashtami - The Birthday of Lord Krishna, Significance of Celebrating Krishna’s birthday

The holy festival of Krishna Janmashtami is around the corner. The festival celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This year, the festival will be celebrated on 26-27 August 2024, where devotees worship the childhood avatar of Lord Krishna called Bal Gopal. The midnight celebration involves a full day of fasting, in which people avoid food and water and break the fast after offering prayer, arti, and Chappan Bhog to the deity.

According to the Hindu calendar, the festival of Janmashtami is celebrated every year on the Ashtami date of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada. According to religious beliefs, Lord Krishna was born at the midnight of Ashtami date. This time people are confused about the date of Janmashtami as to when Janmashtami will be celebrated.

Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on 26 August, Monday. At the same time, Krishna Janmotsav will be celebrated on 27 August in the Banke Bihari temple of Vrindavan. This year the 5251st birth anniversary of Lord Krishna will be celebrated, which is considered very special.

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with fervor by the Hindu community around the world, It is a significant festival day because it is believed to be the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Krishna was believed to be born in the Vrindava-Mathura area, and the festival is widely celebrated with great pomp and show there.

Significance of the Festival

The legend surrounding the festival is that Lord Krishna was born in Mathura on Ashtami night during the month of August-September. He was born inside the Mathura prison because King Kansa, his uncle, had imprisoned his parents, Devaki and Vasudev. He did this after a priest predicted that the couple's eighth son would cause his death. But Vasudev managed to escape the prison when Krishna was born. He made his way to Vrindavan and handed over his child to Yashoda and Nanda. Krishna then grew up there.

After making the exchange, Vasudeva returned to the palace with a baby girl and handed her to Kansa. When the evil king tried to kill the baby, she transformed into Durga, warning him about his impending doom, in this way, Krishna grew up in Vrindavan and later killed his uncle, Kansa.

As a child, Krishna loved eating butter, and the women in Vrindavan used to tie their pots of butter at a height to prevent it from being stolen by him. But this did not deter the child, and he came up with the idea that he and his friends form a human pyramid to reach the pot and steal the butter. This is what inspires the current-day Dahi Handi celebration, a key aspect of the festivities.

Celebrations of the festival

Krishna devotees observe fasts and perform kirtans to celebrate Krishna's birth, and Krishna temples are all decked out. The idol of baby Krishna, Ladoo Gopal, is placed on a small cot and is used to signify Krishna's birth in homes.

They adorn their homes with flowers, diyas, and lights while temples are beautifully decorated and lit.

The temples of Mathura and Vrindavan witness the most extravagant and colorful celebrations as Krishna is believed to have been born and spent his growing years there. Devotees perform Raslila to recreate incidents from Krishna's life and to commemorate his love for Radha since Krishna was born at midnight, an idol of an infant Krishna is bathed and placed in a cradle at that time.

Maharashtra also sees joyous celebrations of this festival as people enact Krishna's childhood endeavors to steal butter and curd from earthen pots. This activity is called the Dahi Handi celebration for which a matka or pot is suspended high above the ground and people form a human pyramid to reach it and eventually break it.

What is Chappan Bhog?

It refers to a holy thali of sattvic foods served to Lord Krishna on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. It often includes dishes that offer all 5 tastes-sweet, sour, spicy, salty, bitter, and umami.

What is included in Chappan Bhog?

As per experts, Chappan Bhog features 56 delectable Prasadam items, that are loved by Lord Krishna. From pure milk products to savory dishes, it has everything. It includes sattvic dishes like Makhan Mishri, Kheer, Rasgulla, Jeera Laddus, Jalebi, Rabdi, Malpua, Mohanbhog, Moong Dal Halwa, Ghevar, Peda, Cashews, Almonds, Pistachios, Cardamoms, Panchamrit, Shakkar Para, Mathri, Chutney, Murabba, Mango, Banana, Grapes, Apples, Plums, Raisins, Pakore, Saag, Curd, Rice, Kadhi, Cheela, Papad, Khichdi, Baingan ki Sabji, Dudhi ki Sabji, Poori, Tikki, Daliya, Ghee, Honey, White Butter, Fresh Cream, Kachori, Roti, Coconut Water, Almond Milk, Chaach, Shikanji, Channa, Meethe Chawal, Bhujia, Supari, Saunf, and Paan.

The story associated with Chappan Bhog

Historians recount that when the people of Braj were preparing a grand event to honor Indra, the king of heaven, young Krishna asked Nand Baba why this ritual was being conducted. Nand Baba explained that the puja was meant to please Dev Raj Indra, who would then provide abundant rain. Krishna, however, questioned why they should worship Indra for rain, suggesting instead that they should worship the Govardhan Mountain, which provides fruits, vegetables, and fodder for animals.
Indra perceived this as an affront and unleashed a devastating storm upon Braj, causing severe flooding. In response, Krishna instructed the people to seek refuge under the Govardhan Mountain, which he lifted effortlessly with his left hand. He asked everyone to take shelter and support themselves with sticks to stay safe from the storm.
For seven days, Krishna held up the mountain without consuming any food. On the eighth day, when the rain ceased and the people emerged, they realized Krishna had not eaten during this time. Curious, they inquired with Maa Yashoda about how she fed Krishna, and she revealed that she fed him eight times a day. Consequently, the residents of Gokul prepared fifty-six types of dishes—eight varieties for each meal—to honor Krishna, leading to the tradition of Chappan Bhog. It is believed that offering these fifty-six dishes to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami brings joy to him and fulfills one's wishes.

Dahi Handi

Dahi Handi is celebrated annually across the country. The auspicious tradition is especially observed on a grand scale in Maharashtra and Goa. Also known as Gopalakala or Utlotsavam, the Hindu festival falls a day after Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna. Know what Dahi Handi is, as well as its date, significance, and celebrations.

Dahi Handi 2024: Date and timings

Dahi Handi is celebrated annually, a day after Krishna Janmashtami. This year, it falls on Tuesday, August 27, while Janmashtami is on Monday, August 26.

Ashtami Tithi Begins - 3:39 am on August 26

Ashtami Tithi Ends - 2:19 am on August 27

Dahi Handi: What is Dahi Handi? Significance

Dhi Handi celebrations commemorate Lord Krishna's childhood. The legend goes that Bal Krishna was a mischievous kid fond of curd (dahi) and butter (makhan). As he grew up, he and his friends tried to steal dahi and makhan from the neighborhood homes. The village women started hanging the dahi and makhan pots from the ceiling to protect them from Lord Krishna and his gang. However, Krishna and his friends devised a clever solution: they formed a human pyramid to reach the pots, which were now beyond the grasp of their tiny hands. Dahi Handi festival commemorates this playful act from Bal Gopal's childhood.

Dahi Handi 2024: Celebrations

Dahi Handi is one of the most significant cultural sports celebrated in India around the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. It has transformed into a competitive sport that is done on a large scale in Maharashtra. Dahi refers to curd, while Handi refers to an earthen pot. During Dahi Handi celebrations, an earthen pot is filled with milk, curd, butter, or other milk products and then hung several storeys above the ground.

Then, teams who refer to themselves as Govindas form human pyramids to reach and break the Handi suspended in the air. The chant "Govinda Aala Re!" echoes through the streets as they attempt to break the Handi. The teams are often sprayed with water or slippery liquids to make the task difficult. In recent times, the prize money for winning teams has reached up to one crore rupees. The celebrations not only test Govindas's physical strength and teamwork but also imbibe everyone with the vibrant spirit of Lord Krishna.

Janmashtami Celebrations in Different States of India

Take a look at how his devotees immerse themselves in the love of Krishna on this special day of Janmashtami. There are some unique ways in which Janmashtami celebrations take place in India which draw a vivid picture of its diversity.

Janmashtami Celebration in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh

The main celebration of Janmashtami takes place at Krishna’s Janmabhoomi, Mathura. Being the birthplace of Krishna, the exhilaration seen here is worth witnessing. Temples adorned with flowers, streets buzzed with devotees, and air filled with the fragrance of roses and special savories getting prepared at every corner to create an amazing vibe, especially in this part of the country. From his butter-stealing act to Ras Leela with Gopis, many vibrant plays are held to portray the life of Krishna. His Balgopal roop is cradled in every home and even in the temples of Mathura during Janmashtami. This tradition of cradling baby Krishna is also prevalent in many other parts of India.

Janmashtami Celebration in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh

Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh is another place after Mathura where Janmashtami is celebrated with great devotion as this town also has a deep affinity with Krishna’s life. Barely 11km away from Mathura, it was in Vrindavan where Krishna spent his childhood stealing butter and performing Raas Leela with his Gopis. On this special day, various rituals are performed in temples. Also, raas leela and plays based on Krishna’s life are enacted by artists which is a special highlight here. The celebration of Janmashtami in Vrindavan takes place for ten long days when the entire town comes to life with the serenading sound of mridang, bhajans, and bells. Krishna’s charm has spread all over the world which draws a large number of devotees to this holy town, especially during Janmashtami.

Janmashtami Celebration in Maharashtra

Unlike Mathura and Vrindavan, Janmashtami in Maharashtra is more about fun and merrymaking. Celebrated uniquely, huge pandals are installed to perform Dahi Handi contests. An earthen pot filled with curd and white butter is hung at a massive height and people gather to make huge human pyramids to break this pot. To make Dahi Handi more competitive, people splash water on the group attempting to break the pot. This ritual originated from Krishna’s act of stealing butter with his friends and a large number of people gather to watch this spectacle every year. This event is usually organized and sponsored by companies and local political groups and a huge cash prize is extended to the winning team. One of the popular places to catch the sight of electrifying Dahi Handi is in Mumbai where the Janmashtami celebration is fascinating.

Janmashtami Celebration in Dwarka, Gujarat

Coming to the celebrations in Lord Krishna’s very own kingdom, Dwarka in Gujarat, Janmashtami in this part of the country is worth witnessing as this is the place where he spent about five thousand years of his life. According to legends, the entire city of Dwarka submerged into the Arabian Sea after he left for his heavenly abode. The present-day city comes to life with the sound of conch shells and ringing bells during Janmashtami. Every year a large number of devotees visit Dwarka to immerse themselves in the bhakti of Lord Krishna.

Janmashtami Celebration in Odisha

Jagannath in Odisha is a quintessential temple of Lord Krishna. According to legends, Lord Krishna’s heart was tied to a log and immersed in the ocean. It is Jagannath temple in Puri where Krishna’s heart can be found. All the major temples in Odisha are beautifully decorated and the special prasad called the Jeuda Bhog is prepared with a belief to ease the labor pain while giving birth to Lord Krishna. The deities are adorned with beautiful clothes and jewelry and at midnight, Ladoo Gopal is kept in a cradle decorated with flowers. Mantras are chanted, processions are carried out, religious songs are sung, verses from the Bhagavad Gita are recited and several sweets are cooked to celebrate the birth anniversary of Krishna. Here the Janmashtami celebration is held with great pomp and shows just like the famous Rath Yatra.

Janmashtami Celebration in Goa

Despite being a Portuguese settlement, Goa is popular for Janmashtami celebrations as well. The temples here are as significant as its beautiful churches as this beach place has an affinity with Yadavas, the clan to which Krishna belonged. It is home to a unique temple where Krishna and Devaki are worshipped together. It is the only temple in India devoted to the Devaki Krishna cult. In this temple, you will find an idol of Devaki in a standing position with little Krishna between her legs. Apart from daily worshipping, Janmashtami is also celebrated here with gusto. This temple in Marcel (about 17km from Panaji) is marked by long queues of devotees where major celebrations of Janmashtami in Goa can be witnessed.

Janmashtami Celebration in Jaipur

Krishna Balaram temple and Govind Devji temple in Jaipur are famous for Janmashtami celebrations. While the Krishna Balaram temple in Jaipur city is exactly similar to the Krishna Balaram temple in Vrindavan, the famous Govind Devji Temple located inside the City Palace is where the main image of Krishna was brought by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II from Vrindavan which is believed to be made by Krishna’s great-grandson, Bajranabh. Decorations being an indispensable part of Janmashtami, both these temples in Jaipur are beautifully decorated. The temples remain overcrowded, especially during the festival and you can see long queues of devotees visiting here to offer prayers and seek blessings.

Janmashtami Celebration in Manipur

From observing fasts to visiting temples, organizing Raas Leela performances, singing bhajans, and folk dance performances, Janmashtami celebrations in Manipur are just as enthusiastic as the ones across the country. Vaishnavism is quite prevalent in this northeastern state, almost every village in Manipur has at least one Krishna Temple where Janmashtami is celebrated with great fervor. Mahabali Temple and Sri Govindjee Temple are quite popular where large gatherings of Krishna devotees can be witnessed.

Janmashtami Celebration in Andhra Pradesh

From dressing up like Krishna to performing various rituals, the Janmashtami celebration in this part of the country is very unique. Since there are only a few temples in the state, natives of Andhra Pradesh celebrate Janmashtami by worshipping paintings of Krishna instead of idols. Many types of sweets and fruits are offered while performing pooja. Reciting bhajans and slokas is also a part of the Janmashtami celebration in Andhra Pradesh.

Janmashtami Celebration in Kerala

Guruvayoor Sri Krishna temple, also known as Bhuloka Vaikunta is one of the significant temples in Kerala where Janmashtami celebrations are grand. Considered the ‘Holy Abode of Vishnu on Earth’, this temple in Guruvayur town is also called ‘Dwarka of South India’. Devotees from all parts of Kerala visit this temple during Janmashtami to pay homage to the idol of Vishnu which is in the form of newly born Krishna as seen by Devaki and Vasudev. Pooja, mantra chanting, and distribution of Prasadam are significant parts of Janmashtami celebrations in Kerala.

Janmashtami Celebration in Tamil Nadu

One of the unique celebrations of Janmashtami, Tamil Nadu celebrates it in its unique style. People from the state follow rituals like drawing tiny footprints of Krishna at the entrance of the house and dressing the youngest child of the family like Krishna. People observe fast till midnight and offer butter, betel, fruits, and many sweet savories. Pooja, mantra jaap, and singing devotional songs are also significant parts of this grand ceremony.

Janmashtami Celebration in Udupi, Karnataka

Krishna Janmashtami is a grand affair in Sri Krishna Matha temple in Udupi. According to the legends, the idol of Krishna in the temple was discovered by Saint Madhwacharya on a ship in the 13th century and was later placed here facing west. During Janmashtami, this ashram-like temple buzzes with cultural performances, Leelotsav, and various plays depicting the life of Krishna. One of the unique aspects here is the exquisitely carved window which is called Navagraha Kitiki from where the devotees worship Lord Krishna. Apart from this, you can also attend Vittal Pindi (Rass Leela) and Huli Vesha (tiger dance). Massive processions are also carried out in Udupi in which Gopuras are erected under the chariot. Earthen pots filled with curd are hung on Gopuras that are broken by sticks when the procession is carried out.

FAQ’s for Janmashtami

Q. Which states in India celebrate Janmashtami?

A. Janmashtami is celebrated with great fervor in different states of India. However, Uttar Pradesh grandly celebrates Janmashtami.

Q. How do we celebrate Janmashtami?

A. We can celebrate Janmashtami by observing fast and chanting prayers. We can decorate our temple at home with flowers and put a small cradle with a little Krishna in it. We can keep sweets and special savories as offerings and prasad.

Q. Why is Janmashtami celebrated for 2 days?

A. As Lord Krishna was born at midnight, his birth anniversary, Janmashtami is celebrated for two days.