Krishna Janmashtami will fall on 11th and 12th August in the year 2020. To know more about this festival and its celebration, read on.Janmashtami is the day Lord Krishna was born. People visit Krishna temples on this day, conduct Puja and have a whole day of celebration. Worship Lord Krishna wholeheartedly on this auspicious day and seek his blessings for a prosperous and joyful life. In the year 2020 Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on 11th and 12th of August.Krishna Janmashtami is an important festival which is celebrated with great fervour. It is an important day for all Hindus and especially for Krishna devotees as well. According to mythology, Krishna was considered a playful and naughty character but at the same time he was very lovable as well.As a child Sri Krishna was very naughty and he was very fond of butter. In states like Maharashtra people enact incidents from Krishna’s childhood by placing an earthen pot high above the ground and then forming a human pyramid to try and break it. Many youngsters participate in this activity with great enthusiasm. This ritual of breaking the pot is known as Dahi-Handi. In this articleJanmashtami Celebrations In DwarkaJanmashtami Celebrations In VrindavanJanmashtami PujaKrishna Janmashtami FAQsWhy is Krishna Janmashtami celebrated?What is done on the occasion of Janmashtami?What kind of foods are offered to Lord Krishna on the occasion of Janmashtami?What kind of sweets are offered to Lord Krishna while celebrating Janmashtami?How to fast on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami?How to do Janmashtami Puja?Which flowers should be used for doing Janmashtami Puja?Why is DahiHandi Organised on the next day of Janmashtami?Is it alright to drink coffee or tea while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami?Is it alright to eat chips and peanuts while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami?What type of food should be consumed while breaking the Janmashtami fast?Which fruits can be consumed while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami?Is it alright to do Nirjala (Without Water) fast on the occasion of Janmashtami?What is the way to get the blessings of Lord Krishna?Janmashtami Celebrations In DwarkaDwarka which is the place where Krishna was born celebrates this festival in a big way. There are hordes of visitors who flock this city to witness and take part in the celebrations. The city is decorated and the people sing Bhajans praising Lord Krishna. People light up their homes and celebrate Krishna’s birth in a grand manner. Women prepare special food items and make offerings to the Gods also. Sri Krishna was particularly fond of butter and milk items and so women prepare sweet dishes made using milk and Ghee. Many people observe a fast also on this day.Janmashtami Celebrations In VrindavanIn places like Vrindavan, plays are organised wherein people enact scenes and events from Krishna’s childhood days and adult life as well. This is known as Rasleela. Nowadays in modern times, Rasleela is performed by professional troupes. They perform it with utmost devotion and sincerity and keep the tradition alive. Various important events of Krishna’s life are enacted and people enjoy watching it.The Rasleela of Vrindavan is famous. Vrindavan was Krishna’s birthplace and he spent his early childhood years here. It is said that later on around the age of twenty eight, Sri Krishna moved to Dwarka where he spent a majority of his life. He also spent some years in Mathura. These three places Vrindavan, Mathura and Dwarka are important places of significance for Krishna devotees. In these places, Janmashtami is celebrated with great gusto and fervour. Krishna Janmashtami is also celebrated in other countries besides India by ardent Krishna followers. Indians who are living abroad also celebrate this festival with great excitement and interest.Janmashtami PujaMany people conduct Pujaat midnight itself. Some others perform Puja in the morning or evening. In many houses in South India, people draw footsteps of Lord Krishna from the entrance of the house to the Puja room. These footsteps are drawn with rice flour paste and drawing these footsteps is a sign of welcoming Lord Krishna home. Women draw patterns of tiny footsteps like those of infant Krishna.Krishna Janmashtami FAQsHere are some common questions that people ask related to Janmashtami.Why is Krishna Janmashtami celebrated?Krishna Janmashtami is observed to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna and seek his blessings. According to Indian customs and traditions, celebrating Krishna Janmashtami is known to bring prosperity and good health in the house. Hindus believe that if Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great devotion every year Lord Krishna is known to bless childless couples with children and children with good health and success. Therefore, this festival holds a great significance in the life of childless couples as well as parents of young children. So, to celebrate this festival, children get dressed-up as Bal Krishna (Lord Krishna as Child), mothers dress-up as Maiyya Yashoda (Lord Krishna’s Mother) and young girls dress-up as Radha Rani (Lord Krishna’s Lover). This day is celebrated with a lot of fervour and joy.What is done on the occasion of Janmashtami?On the eve of Krishna Janmashtami people fast and pray to Lord Krishna and try to feel his divine presence by singing Bhajans, devotional songs and telling stories about his Rasleela. When the clock strikes 12 at night, Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated by placing his idol or photo in a cradle and rocking it slowly. Various offerings like new clothes, Haldi-Kumkum, flowers, essence sticks, diyas, sweets, fruits and food are offered to the idol or the photo of Lord Krishna. Prayers are done for the well-being of family and fast is broken. On the next day the sport of Dahi-Handi is organised all over the country. The game of Dahi-Handi is played by making human pyramids and breaking the pot filled with curd (Dahi).What kind of foods are offered to Lord Krishna on the occasion of Janmashtami?Curd is one of the most favourite foods of Lord Krishna. In Maharashtrian households Bhaji made of Drumstick Leaves and Chapati is offered to Lord Krishna at mid-night after which fast is broken. In temples at least 108 food items are prepared in order to offer them Lord Krishna.What kind of sweets are offered to Lord Krishna while celebrating Janmashtami?Curd and milk are Lord Krishna’s favourite. So, sweets like Kheer, Ladoos, Mithai, Pedas and all of other kinds of sweets prepared using milk and curd are offered to Lord Krishna on the auspicious day of Janmashtami. After offering sweets to Lord Krishna these sweets are then distributed amongst the devotees.How to fast on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami?If one is fasting on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, he or she should fast very strictly. It is necessary to take a head bath early in the morning and visit Lord Krishna’s temple or pray to Lord Krishna’s photo or idol at home. Milk and milk products should not be consumed while fasting on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. One can have fruits and fruit juices on this day. Some devotees who are unable to cope only on fruit and fruit juices can consume Farali snacks like Sabudana Vada, Farali Patties, Farali Chiwda etc. Lord Krishna was born at midnight so the fast should be broken at midnight after doing Janmashtami Puja and offering fruits and sweets to the Lord. In Maharashtrian households, the vegetable made using drumstick leaves and chapati is offered as Naivaidyam to Lord Krishna which is then consumed by the devotees while breaking the fast.How to do Janmashtami Puja? It is necessary to do the cleaning of the entire house before doing Janmashtami Puja. For doing Puja, devotees should fast strictly for this occasion. Beautiful rangoli should be drawn at the entrance of the house. For setting up Lord Krishna’s idol or photo, a small Puja Chowki can be used. A small cradle can be made or purchased from the market to place Lord Krishna’s idol or photo in it. Before doing Puja the devotee should take a head bath. After taking a head bath the devotees should clean the place where Puja is supposed to be done and place the Puja Chowki. On the Puja Chowki, a clean cloth must be placed. This cloth should be preferably in red, orange or yellow colour. Rangoli should be drawn around the Chowki.You can refer to the arrangement that is made in the photo pasted above. After the Puja Chowki is arranged properly by placing a clean cloth, a cradle must be placed on it. Lord Krishna’s idol or photo must be placed in the cradle. If possible the devotee should dress-up the idol of Lord Krishna in new clothes. The Puja Chowki should be decorated with flowers and garlands. Once the entire set-up is ready, the devotee must take untouched water and sprinkle it three times on the idol. The following mantra should be recited while sprinkling the water on the idol. The devotee should say the mantra Keshvaya Namah, Madhavaya Namah, Narayanaya Namah respectively each time while sprinkling the water on the idol. The devotee should sprinkle water on the idol with the help of holy leaves like Durva. This ritual of sprinkling water on the idol is a way to give bath to the idol. After water is sprinkled, the devotee should offer Tilak to the idol or photo. Chandan (Sandalwood Paste), Kum-Kum and Turmeric Powder can be used to offer Tilak to the idol. After offering Tilak to the idol, flowers and garlands should be offered. Then Diyas should be lit and offered to the Lord. Devotees should also offer essence sticks and Dhoop to the Lord. Janmashtami Katha should be recited. After reciting the Katha, Aarti should be done. After doing Aarti, sweets and food should be offered to the Lord at mid-night. All types of sweets made using milk and curd are loved by Lord Krishna. So, the devotees can offer such kinds of sweets to the Lord. The devotee can break the fast after praying for the well-being of all the family members and distributing Prasad to them.Which flowers should be used for doing Janmashtami Puja?Any flowers can be used while doing Janmashtami Puja. The flowers like Mogra, Jasmine and Tuberose are the favourite flowers of Lord Krishna. So, these flowers are specially preferred by the devotees of Lord Krishna while doing Puja.Why is Dahi-Handi Organised on the next day of Janmashtami?Dahi-Handi is organised by the devotees in the memory of Lord Krishan. Lord Krishan used to steal Dahi from the Handis or the pots that were hung very high in the houses by the women in Gokul. He used to make human pyramids to steal the curd from the pots hung high in the houses. Therefore, the sport of Dahi-Handi is organised on this day which is loved by the youngsters very much. This sport is very popular in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai where very high human pyramids up to 9 levels are formed. Competitions are organised for breaking the Dahi-Handis hung on the height.Is it alright to drink coffee or tea while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami?It is alright to drink coffee or tea on the occasion of Janmashtami but one should not put milk in it.Is it alright to eat chips and peanuts while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami?Peanuts and chips fall under the category of Farali snacks so these food items can be consumed while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami.What type of food should be consumed while breaking the Janmashtami fast? Satvik food must be consumed while breaking fast on the occasion of Janmashtami. Satvik food is the pure and sacred food made without using onion, garlic and ginger.Which fruits can be consumed while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami?All fruits can be consumed while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami. Fruits like apples and bananas are mostly consumed on this occasion.Is it alright to do Nirjala (Without Water) fast on the occasion of Janmashtami?It is alright to do Nirjala fast on the occasion of Janmashtami. It completely depends on the wish of the devotee.What is the way to get the blessings of Lord Krishna?Fasting and praying are not the only ways to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna. A devotee must always think about Lord Krishna, love him and always be happy to seek his blessings. Many people love Lord Krishna. He is a favourite deity for many people and hence this celebration has a lot of significance for many Hindus. People pray to Lord Krishna on this day and seek his blessings for a happy and good life. There are long queues outside Lord Krishnas temples on the day of Janmashtami and everybody sings praises of Lord Krishna on this holy day. Divine vibes can be experienced by the devotees of Lord Krishna on this auspicious day. The entire environment is filled with love, bliss and happiness. Whoever wishes for anything with true heart and devotion on this auspicious day Lord Krishna fulfils all of these wishes.On which dates will the Janmashtami celebration fall in the year 2020? How is Janmashtami celebration observed? How to do Janmashtami Puja? Discuss here.
Krishna Janmashtami will fall on 11th and 12th August in the year 2020. To know more about this festival and its celebration, read on.Janmashtami is the day Lord Krishna was born. People visit Krishna temples on this day, conduct Puja and have a whole day of celebration. Worship Lord Krishna wholeheartedly on this auspicious day and seek his blessings for a prosperous and joyful life. In the year 2020 Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on 11th and 12th of August.
Krishna Janmashtami is an important festival which is celebrated with great fervour. It is an important day for all Hindus and especially for Krishna devotees as well. According to mythology, Krishna was considered a playful and naughty character but at the same time he was very lovable as well.
As a child Sri Krishna was very naughty and he was very fond of butter. In states like Maharashtra people enact incidents from Krishna’s childhood by placing an earthen pot high above the ground and then forming a human pyramid to try and break it. Many youngsters participate in this activity with great enthusiasm. This ritual of breaking the pot is known as Dahi-Handi.
Janmashtami Celebrations In Dwarka
Dwarka which is the place where Krishna was born celebrates this festival in a big way. There are hordes of visitors who flock this city to witness and take part in the celebrations. The city is decorated and the people sing Bhajans praising Lord Krishna. People light up their homes and celebrate Krishna’s birth in a grand manner. Women prepare special food items and make offerings to the Gods also. Sri Krishna was particularly fond of butter and milk items and so women prepare sweet dishes made using milk and Ghee. Many people observe a fast also on this day.
Janmashtami Celebrations In Vrindavan
In places like Vrindavan, plays are organised wherein people enact scenes and events from Krishna’s childhood days and adult life as well. This is known as Rasleela. Nowadays in modern times, Rasleela is performed by professional troupes. They perform it with utmost devotion and sincerity and keep the tradition alive. Various important events of Krishna’s life are enacted and people enjoy watching it.
The Rasleela of Vrindavan is famous. Vrindavan was Krishna’s birthplace and he spent his early childhood years here. It is said that later on around the age of twenty eight, Sri Krishna moved to Dwarka where he spent a majority of his life. He also spent some years in Mathura. These three places Vrindavan, Mathura and Dwarka are important places of significance for Krishna devotees. In these places, Janmashtami is celebrated with great gusto and fervour. Krishna Janmashtami is also celebrated in other countries besides India by ardent Krishna followers. Indians who are living abroad also celebrate this festival with great excitement and interest.
Janmashtami Puja
Many people conduct Pujaat midnight itself. Some others perform Puja in the morning or evening. In many houses in South India, people draw footsteps of Lord Krishna from the entrance of the house to the Puja room. These footsteps are drawn with rice flour paste and drawing these footsteps is a sign of welcoming Lord Krishna home. Women draw patterns of tiny footsteps like those of infant Krishna.
Krishna Janmashtami FAQs
Here are some common questions that people ask related to Janmashtami.
Why is Krishna Janmashtami celebrated?
Krishna Janmashtami is observed to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna and seek his blessings. According to Indian customs and traditions, celebrating Krishna Janmashtami is known to bring prosperity and good health in the house. Hindus believe that if Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great devotion every year Lord Krishna is known to bless childless couples with children and children with good health and success. Therefore, this festival holds a great significance in the life of childless couples as well as parents of young children. So, to celebrate this festival, children get dressed-up as Bal Krishna (Lord Krishna as Child), mothers dress-up as Maiyya Yashoda (Lord Krishna’s Mother) and young girls dress-up as Radha Rani (Lord Krishna’s Lover). This day is celebrated with a lot of fervour and joy.
What is done on the occasion of Janmashtami?
On the eve of Krishna Janmashtami people fast and pray to Lord Krishna and try to feel his divine presence by singing Bhajans, devotional songs and telling stories about his Rasleela. When the clock strikes 12 at night, Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated by placing his idol or photo in a cradle and rocking it slowly. Various offerings like new clothes, Haldi-Kumkum, flowers, essence sticks, diyas, sweets, fruits and food are offered to the idol or the photo of Lord Krishna. Prayers are done for the well-being of family and fast is broken. On the next day the sport of Dahi-Handi is organised all over the country. The game of Dahi-Handi is played by making human pyramids and breaking the pot filled with curd (Dahi).
What kind of foods are offered to Lord Krishna on the occasion of Janmashtami?
Curd is one of the most favourite foods of Lord Krishna. In Maharashtrian households Bhaji made of Drumstick Leaves and Chapati is offered to Lord Krishna at mid-night after which fast is broken. In temples at least 108 food items are prepared in order to offer them Lord Krishna.
What kind of sweets are offered to Lord Krishna while celebrating Janmashtami?
Curd and milk are Lord Krishna’s favourite. So, sweets like Kheer, Ladoos, Mithai, Pedas and all of other kinds of sweets prepared using milk and curd are offered to Lord Krishna on the auspicious day of Janmashtami. After offering sweets to Lord Krishna these sweets are then distributed amongst the devotees.
How to fast on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami?
If one is fasting on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, he or she should fast very strictly. It is necessary to take a head bath early in the morning and visit Lord Krishna’s temple or pray to Lord Krishna’s photo or idol at home. Milk and milk products should not be consumed while fasting on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. One can have fruits and fruit juices on this day. Some devotees who are unable to cope only on fruit and fruit juices can consume Farali snacks like Sabudana Vada, Farali Patties, Farali Chiwda etc. Lord Krishna was born at midnight so the fast should be broken at midnight after doing Janmashtami Puja and offering fruits and sweets to the Lord. In Maharashtrian households, the vegetable made using drumstick leaves and chapati is offered as Naivaidyam to Lord Krishna which is then consumed by the devotees while breaking the fast.
How to do Janmashtami Puja?
It is necessary to do the cleaning of the entire house before doing Janmashtami Puja. For doing Puja, devotees should fast strictly for this occasion. Beautiful rangoli should be drawn at the entrance of the house. For setting up Lord Krishna’s idol or photo, a small Puja Chowki can be used. A small cradle can be made or purchased from the market to place Lord Krishna’s idol or photo in it. Before doing Puja the devotee should take a head bath. After taking a head bath the devotees should clean the place where Puja is supposed to be done and place the Puja Chowki. On the Puja Chowki, a clean cloth must be placed. This cloth should be preferably in red, orange or yellow colour. Rangoli should be drawn around the Chowki.
You can refer to the arrangement that is made in the photo pasted above. After the Puja Chowki is arranged properly by placing a clean cloth, a cradle must be placed on it. Lord Krishna’s idol or photo must be placed in the cradle. If possible the devotee should dress-up the idol of Lord Krishna in new clothes. The Puja Chowki should be decorated with flowers and garlands. Once the entire set-up is ready, the devotee must take untouched water and sprinkle it three times on the idol. The following mantra should be recited while sprinkling the water on the idol. The devotee should say the mantra Keshvaya Namah, Madhavaya Namah, Narayanaya Namah respectively each time while sprinkling the water on the idol. The devotee should sprinkle water on the idol with the help of holy leaves like Durva. This ritual of sprinkling water on the idol is a way to give bath to the idol.
After water is sprinkled, the devotee should offer Tilak to the idol or photo. Chandan (Sandalwood Paste), Kum-Kum and Turmeric Powder can be used to offer Tilak to the idol. After offering Tilak to the idol, flowers and garlands should be offered. Then Diyas should be lit and offered to the Lord. Devotees should also offer essence sticks and Dhoop to the Lord. Janmashtami Katha should be recited. After reciting the Katha, Aarti should be done. After doing Aarti, sweets and food should be offered to the Lord at mid-night. All types of sweets made using milk and curd are loved by Lord Krishna. So, the devotees can offer such kinds of sweets to the Lord. The devotee can break the fast after praying for the well-being of all the family members and distributing Prasad to them.
Which flowers should be used for doing Janmashtami Puja?
Any flowers can be used while doing Janmashtami Puja. The flowers like Mogra, Jasmine and Tuberose are the favourite flowers of Lord Krishna. So, these flowers are specially preferred by the devotees of Lord Krishna while doing Puja.
Why is Dahi-Handi Organised on the next day of Janmashtami?
Dahi-Handi is organised by the devotees in the memory of Lord Krishan. Lord Krishan used to steal Dahi from the Handis or the pots that were hung very high in the houses by the women in Gokul. He used to make human pyramids to steal the curd from the pots hung high in the houses. Therefore, the sport of Dahi-Handi is organised on this day which is loved by the youngsters very much. This sport is very popular in Maharashtra, especially in Mumbai where very high human pyramids up to 9 levels are formed. Competitions are organised for breaking the Dahi-Handis hung on the height.
Is it alright to drink coffee or tea while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami?
It is alright to drink coffee or tea on the occasion of Janmashtami but one should not put milk in it.
Is it alright to eat chips and peanuts while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami?
Peanuts and chips fall under the category of Farali snacks so these food items can be consumed while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami.
What type of food should be consumed while breaking the Janmashtami fast?
Satvik food must be consumed while breaking fast on the occasion of Janmashtami. Satvik food is the pure and sacred food made without using onion, garlic and ginger.
Which fruits can be consumed while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami?
All fruits can be consumed while fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami. Fruits like apples and bananas are mostly consumed on this occasion.
Is it alright to do Nirjala (Without Water) fast on the occasion of Janmashtami?
It is alright to do Nirjala fast on the occasion of Janmashtami. It completely depends on the wish of the devotee.
What is the way to get the blessings of Lord Krishna?
Fasting and praying are not the only ways to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna. A devotee must always think about Lord Krishna, love him and always be happy to seek his blessings. Many people love Lord Krishna. He is a favourite deity for many people and hence this celebration has a lot of significance for many Hindus. People pray to Lord Krishna on this day and seek his blessings for a happy and good life. There are long queues outside Lord Krishna's temples on the day of Janmashtami and everybody sings praises of Lord Krishna on this holy day. Divine vibes can be experienced by the devotees of Lord Krishna on this auspicious day. The entire environment is filled with love, bliss and happiness. Whoever wishes for anything with true heart and devotion on this auspicious day Lord Krishna fulfils all of these wishes.
On which dates will the Janmashtami celebration fall in the year 2020? How is Janmashtami celebration observed? How to do Janmashtami Puja? Discuss here.
