Janmashtami 2023 • Celebration of Lord Krishna's Birthday

Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu's eighth avatar on Earth. The birth of Lord Krishna represents the triumph of good over evil. On the day of Krishna Janmashtami, Lord Krishna devotees offer prayers, and various rituals inspired by the life of Baby Krishna are held throughout the country.

→ Check out these Janmashtami wishes, greetings, and WhatsApp status

Janmashtami 2023 is on September 06, Wednesday

2 months and 24 days to go for the event

Shubh Muhurat & Important timing on Janmashtami 2023 (Ujjain, India):
Nishita Puja Time - 12:08 AM to 12:53 AM, Aug 19
Ashtami tithi timing - 9:21 PM to 10:59 PM, Aug 19
Parana Time - 6:08 AM, Aug 19
Rohini Nakshatra timing- 1:53 AM, Aug 20- 4:40 AM, Aug 21

Even though the Krishna Janmashtami was on August 18, the states of Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Delhi declared holiday on August 19. In Telangana, the holiday was on August 20.

'Janm' means birth and 'Ashtami' means Eighth. Lord Krishna was the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu in which He was born as the eighth son of Vasudev and Yashoda on the eighth tithi.

When is Janmashtami celebrated?

Bhagavan Sri Krishna was born at midnight on Ashtami tithi (8th day) under Rohini Nakshatra. The month of Lord Krishna's birth is Shravan as per Amanta calendar and Bhadrapad in Purnimantha calendar. This corresponding to August - September months on English calendar and the exact date depends on the lunar cycle.

The story behind Sri Krishna Jayanti

According to mythology, Krishna was the eighth child of Princess Devaki and her husband Vasudeva who belonged to the Yadava clan of Mathura. Devaki's brother Kansa, who was the king of Mathura at that time, killed all children that were given birth by Devaki in order to prevent him from a prediction that said that Kansa would be killed by Devaki's eighth son. When Krishna was born, Vasudeva took baby Krishna to his friend's house in Gokul, a district in Mathura. Thereafter, Krishna was brought up by Nanda and his wife Yashoda at Gokul.

Other names of Sri Krishna Jayanti:

Krishnaasthami, Janmasthami, Saatam Aatam, Asthami Rohini, Gokulasthami, Sree Jayanti, Nandotsav etc...

Rituals of Sri Krishna Jayanti

This holy day is celebrated in different parts of India according to various kinds of local traditions and rituals.

People across the country who celebrate Sri Krishna Jayanti keep fasts on this day until midnight when Lord Krishna was born. As a symbol of His birth, the deity's idol is kept in a small cradle and prayers are offered. Bhajans and Bhagvad Gita recitals are done on this day.

In Maharashtra, Dahi Handi is organized on local and regional scales. A human pyramid is formed in order to break an earthen pot filled with buttermilk. There is huge competition and prizes worth lakhs are announced as rewards for these events.

In Uttar Pradesh, devotees in large number visit Krishna temples in the holy cities of Mathura and Vrindavan on this day.

In Gujarat, this day is celebrated with pomp and glory in the Dwarkadhish temple situated in the city of Dwarka that was lord Krishna's kingdom when he became a king.

In Jammu, kite flying is organized on this day.

Even in Manipur, this day called Krishna Janma is celebrated at the ISCKON Temple in the state capital of Imphal.

In Eastern India, Janmasthami followed by Nanda Utsav the next day is characterized by keeping day long fasts and offering different varieties of sweets to the Lord at midnight thus celebrating his birth. Important pujas are held at Puri in Odhisa and Nabadwip in West Bengal.

In Southern India, women decorate their houses with small footprints made of flour representing the life of baby Krishna stealing butter.

Important Timings On Krishna Janmashtami 2023