Janmashtami, a sacred festival for devotees of Lord Krishna, has stirred up some uncertainty this year due to an unusual alignment of the Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra. This convergence has left many Krishna devotees perplexed about whether to celebrate Janmashtami on September 6 or 7.
Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami, Shrikrishna Jayanti, Krishnasthami, and Krishna Janmashtami, holds a special place in the hearts of Krishna devotees worldwide and is celebrated with great fervor.
Typically, Janmashtami falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad. However, this year’s unique alignment of Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra has led to the celebration of Sri Krishna Janmashtami on both September 6 and 7.
Here are the key timings for both dates:
- Ashtami Tithi Begins: September 06, 2023, at 03:37 PM
- Ashtami Tithi Ends: September 07, 2023, at 04:14 PM
- Rohini Nakshatra Begins: September 06, 2023, at 09:20 AM
- Rohini Nakshatra Ends: September 07, 2023, at 10:25 AM
Due to the overlapping of Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi, it is expected that Janmashtami will be widely celebrated on September 6 this year.
Significance of Janmashtami
Janmashtami holds immense significance among Krishna devotees as it commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, a highly revered deity in Hinduism. This festival symbolizes the divine incarnation of God on Earth to vanquish evil forces and establish righteousness. Devotees celebrate Janmashtami with deep devotion, which includes fasting, singing devotional hymns, narrating tales of Krishna’s childhood, and reenacting his playful adventures.
One of the most popular rituals associated with Janmashtami is the midnight celebration known as “Dahi Handi.” During this ritual, teams form human pyramids to break a pot of curd, echoing the mischievous spirit of Lord Krishna.
Rituals Followed During Janmashtami
Devotees dedicate their day to immersing themselves in the glory of Shri Krishna. They read and recite his life stories, hymns from the Bhagavad Gita, and sing devotional songs. Chanting the sacred mantra “Om namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” is a common practice. Many also conduct the ritual of chanting the 108 names of Lord Krishna, showering flowers upon the idol.
Fasting during the day is a common practice, with people refraining from consuming grains. The fast is typically broken after midnight. Devotees often opt for a diet consisting mainly of milk and milk products, as these were Lord Krishna’s favored foods.
Preparing sweets and offerings for Lord Krishna is another essential part of Janmashtami celebrations. Devotees worldwide prepare delectable sweets like Kheer and Pedhas, along with various sumptuous dishes. Butter and sugar cubes, known as ‘Makkhan’ and ‘Mishri,’ hold a special place in these offerings.
Celebration in Different Cities
Different cities have different muhurats (auspicious timings) for celebrating Janmashtami. Here are some of the timings for various cities:
- Pune: 12:10 AM to 12:56 AM, September 07
- New Delhi: 11:57 PM to 12:42 AM, September 07
- Chennai: 11:44 PM to 12:31 AM, September 07
- Jaipur: 12:02 AM to 12:48 AM, September 07
- Hyderabad: 11:51 PM to 12:38 AM, September 07
- Gurgaon: 11:58 PM to 12:43 AM, September 07
- Chandigarh: 11:59 PM to 12:44 AM, September 07
- Kolkata: 11:12 PM to 11:58 PM
- Mumbai: 12:14 AM to 01:00 AM, September 07
- Bengaluru: 11:55 PM to 12:41 AM, September 07
- Ahmedabad: 12:15 AM to 01:01 AM, September 07
- Noida: 11:56 PM to 12:42 AM, September 07
Krishna devotees across the country will come together to celebrate this auspicious festival, regardless of the date chosen for Janmashtami.
