Krishna Janmashtami 2024: Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Janmashtami, is a popular Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, Vishnu's eighth avatar (or incarnation). Lord Krishna is one of Hinduism's most beloved deities, representing compassion, protection, and love.

The day is also referred to as Janmashtami, Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, and Sree Jayanthi.

According to Hindu epics, Krishna was born at midnight in a prison in modern-day Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, to Queen Devaki and King Vasudeva. Lord Krishna is revered as the divinity of compassion, love, and kindness. He is also known for playing mischievous pranks and performing miracles with his incredible abilities.

With the festival approaching, here's everything you should know.

Krishna Janmashtami 2024: Date and Shubh Muhurat

This year's Krishna Janmashtami will take place on Monday, August 26. This year, we will mark Lord Krishna's 5251 birth anniversary.  Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada, as per the lunisolar Hindu calendar, which falls in August or September according to the Gregorian calendar.

The puja muhurat (auspicious time for worship) begins at midnight and lasts till the early morning hours of the following day, as it is believed that Lord Krishna was born at midnight and devotees stay awake to greet him.

According to Drik Panchang, the auspicious hours (shubh muhurat) are listed below. On August 27, 2024, the nishita puja will begin at 12:01 a.m. and continue till 12:46.

Mid Night Moment: 12:24 AM, Aug 27

Chandrodaya Moment: 11:22 PM, Aug 26

Ashtami Tithi Begins: 03:39 AM, Aug 26

Ashtami Tithi Ends: 02:19 AM, Aug 27

Rohini Nakshatra Begins: 03:55 PM, Aug 26

Rohini Nakshatra Ends: 03:38 PM, Aug 27

Krishna Janmashtami 2024: Rituals

Krishna Janmashtami is a joyous occasion that gathers followers from all walks of life together all throughout India to worship Lord Krishna's endless love and wisdom, with each region having its own traditions and rituals.

The festival is celebrated in Mathura and Vrindavan, Lord Krishna's birthplace, with spectacular processions, cultural activities, and reenactments of Krishna's life.

On this day, devotees fast, wear traditional clothes, bathe and decorate Lord Krishna's idols with new clothes and jewellery, and pray for their families' well-being. Devotees organise kirtans and chant the Lord's name. Many devotees embellish Lord Krishna's deity. Incense sticks are lighted, scriptures are read, and many people fast throughout the day. Many excellent culinary items are prepared for the occasion.

On Krishna Janmashtami, devotees do the Nishita puja at around midnight. After celebrating Krishna's birth at midnight, devotees offer his beloved maakhan (white butter), milk, and curd to the idols. Lord Krishna was born at midnight, hence the puja for him is held in Nishita Kaal.

Dahi Handi is also held across many states, during which people form a human pyramid and break an earthen pot filled with butter and curd that is hanging at a height.