Krishna Janmashtami 2024: Aug 26 or 27? Date, Time & Significance Explained

One of the major festivals of Hindus, Janmashtami celebrates the occasion of Lord Krishna’s birth. This year it will be His 5251st birth anniversary. The festival will be celebrated with lots of rituals and festivities all over India on August 26, 2024.

The Ashtami period starts on August 26, 2024, at 03:41 AM and ends on August 27, 2024, at 02:22 AM.

Significance

Janmashtami is celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. This year He completed 5251 years of birth. The country, in its totality, is immersed in festivity and devotion for celebrating this festival. The devotees worshiped the Lord and disseminate His Gita’s lessons.

The day also commemorates the mischievous childhood activities of Krishna, to mention a few—His stealing of butter, defeating the demoness Putana, protection from the wrath of Indra, and His lifting of the Govardhan Hill. Worshipping Krishna is said to bring a lot of joy, prosperity, and fulfillment of wishes.

Shri Krishna Janmashtami  Celebrations in Vrindavan

The functions in connection with Janmashtami, commencing 10 days in advance, begin with cultural and religious Rasleelas, Bhajans, Kirtans, and Pravachans in Mathura and Vrindavana. At Vrindavan, that has over 400 temples of Lord Krishna, a mid-night special ritual called ‘Abhishek’ is performed where the deity is bathed in milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and water for the birth of Lord Krishna.

One of the major traditions includes the Chappan Bhog, which is a grand offering of 56 different dishes served as prasad to devotees. In addition, Dahi Handi events symbolize that love for butter, whereby young men form pyramids to break a curd pot.