The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated with great pomp in India, but let us tell you that the festival of Janmashtami is being celebrated in other countries besides India. The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of the month of Bhadrapada. On this day, at midnight, Lord Vishnu took the incarnation of Shri Krishna in Dwapar Yuga. This incarnation is considered to be his eighth incarnation. Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami, is a grand festival celebrated all over India to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. According to the Hindu calendar, Krishna Janmashtami falls on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha or the 8th day of the waning phase of the moon in the month of Bhadrapada (the dark fortnight of the moon). Which overlaps with August and September of the Gregorian calendar.

What do people do on Janmashtami?

On the day of Janmashtami, devotees take a pledge after completing the morning rituals and perform Krishna Puja at midnight. The idol of Bal Krishna is cleaned with Panch Amrit, dressed in new clothes and ornaments and worshipped by placing it in a cradle with flowers, fruits and sweets. Apart from this, Dahi Handi programs are organized since Lord Krishna enjoyed butter, curd and milk. Special decorations are done in homes and temples on the day of Krishna Janmashtami. Special events are organized in all the famous Krishna temples across the country. Lord Krishna was born at midnight. In such a situation, Krishna devotees keep fast on this day and remain immersed in the devotion of Kanha and after the birth of Shri Krishna at 12 o’clock in the night, they worship methodically and break the fast. You can break the Janmashtami fast in three ways. Some people break the fast after worshiping Krishna at night itself, while some people break the fast the next day morning.  Some people break this fast after the end of Ashtami Tithi. You can break this fast anytime as per your convenience. Break the fast with the Panjiri and butter that is offered to Krishna on this day. It is believed that the worship of Krishna is considered complete only if the fast is broken with the Prasad of the Bhog.

What is the importance of Rohini Nakshatra?

According to Brahmavaivarta Purana, whoever observes a fast on Sri Krishna Janmashtami, gets absolved of the sins of hundred births. There is no doubt in this. He enjoys the bliss in Vaikunth Lok for a long time. Then on taking birth in a good womb, he develops devotion towards Lord Krishna – this is certain. Since Lord Krishna was born on Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami, it is called Krishna Janmashtami. Lord Krishna was born in the Rohini Nakshatra, therefore, while determining Janmashtami, a lot of attention is paid to the Rohini Nakshatra. By worshipping Sri Krishna on this day, one gets child, long life and prosperity. The people born under the Rohini Nakshatra are very beautiful, have big eyes, are radiant, have position and prestige, have interest in music and are mentally healthy.

What is the history of Janmashtami?

According to Hindu mythology, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, Lord Krishna, the son of Devaki and Vasudeva, was born on Janmashtami to destroy the demon king Kansa of Mathura. Kansa was Devaki’s brother. The demon king had captured his sister and her husband and imprisoned them so that he could kill their 7th son as well. But that did not happen. At the time of the birth of Devaki’s seventh child, Balarama, the embryo mysteriously transferred from Devaki’s womb to that of Princess Rohini. When their eighth child, Krishna, was born, the entire palace fell into a deep sleep. The prison doors magically opened and Vasudeva rescued the baby and took him to Nanda Baba and Yashoda’s house in Vrindavan. After the exchange, Vasudeva returned to the palace with a baby girl and handed her over to Kansa. When the evil king tried to kill the baby girl, she transformed into Durga and warned him about his doom.  This is how Krishna grew up in Vrindavan and later killed his maternal uncle Kansa. Since then, the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated as Janmashtami.

Religious significance of celebrating Janmashtami

This festival is also known as a symbol of divinity, love and righteousness. His life and teachings inspire devotees to live a life based on righteousness, karma, and devotion. This festival is celebrated with even more special fervor in Mathura, it is the birthplace of Lord Krishna. According to the beliefs of Hinduism, fasting on this day and offering special prayers to the Lord fulfills all the wishes. Janmashtami festival has special significance for child birth, longevity and prosperity. Fasting on the day of Lord Krishna Janmashtami fulfills all the desires. Worshipping Yashoda Nandan on this day in a proper manner brings blessings of happiness and prosperity. On the other hand, couples who want children should worship Laddoo Gopal on Janmashtami. This is a very important time for the devotees of Lord Krishna to do Sadhana. By the way, every Janmashtami is auspicious and Lord Krishna takes away all the sorrows of the devotees.  But if you recite Sri Krishna Katha and Leela Amrit along with Bhajan Kirtan in special time and constellation, then Lord Krishna will be pleased. Reciting Gita and donating Gita on Janmashtami is considered very auspicious.

Why is Janmashtami celebrated for 2 days?

Those who believe in religious texts like Smriti and follow the rules of fasting based on these are called Smartas. On the other hand, worshippers of Vishnu or those who believe in the incarnations of Vishnu are called Vaishnavas. Smartas often celebrate Janmashtami a day before Vaishnav, the reason behind this is not difficult to understand. Smartas observe some special combinations to celebrate Krishna’s birth anniversary and decide the day of fasting based on that. Like,It should be Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month.It should be Ashtami with moonrise.
There should be a combination of Rohini Nakshatra at night. Those who follow this belief do not insist on Udaya Tithi, so Smartas celebrate Janmashtami on Ashtami or Saptami based on these combinations.

The biggest reason behind Janmashtami is the birth of Lord Krishna. At the end of Dwapar Yuga, when the empire of evil people grew on earth and they started looting, creating chaos and killing people everywhere, then Lord Vishnu vowed to take incarnation in human form. Lord says in Gita that whenever there is a decline in religion on earth, then he takes incarnation in human form and frees the earth from demonic powers.