Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna and is widely and grandly celebrated in Mathura. The festival is popularly referred to as Gokulashthami or Shri Krishna Janmashtami. Every year, the Bhakts devoutly pray to the Lord and celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. This year, Janmashtami is being celebrated two days- 11 and 12 August, as per the tithi.
People across the country organize cultural programs and conduct pujas at home as a show of gesture. Although the coronavirus pandemic has brought a halt to the program, many people are still doing it with temple visits.
Janmashtami Puja Timing
The Janmashtami Tithi commences at 9.06 am on 11th August and would end on 12th August, at 11.16 am. However, there’s a difference in timing as per the Nakshatras. According to the Rohini Nakshatra, the Puja tithi commences on 12th August at 3.27 am, while it ends on 14th August, at 5.22 am.
However, the Puja timing has been scheduled to be commencing at 12.05 am and lasting till 12.48 am. Krishna takes birth at midnight, and this is considered to be the 5,247th birth anniversary.
Janmashtami Puja vidhi
- Put the childhood form of Lord Krishna in a cradle and cover it with a neat piece of cloth.
- Shut your eyes and do dhyana to invoke Lord Krishna.
- Invite Lord Krishna to accept your offerings.
- Wash the Lord’s feet and do Abhishekham.
- Make sure to offer new cloth and mouli after wiping the idol.
- Offer janeu
- Put chandan
- Adorn the Lord with jewelry and flowers to worship the Lord.
- Seek his blessings and offer dhoop, deep, and naivedhya.
- Sing Aarti in praise of the Lord.
What to Eat and What not to eat?
For those observing the fast, they can
- Eat fruits
- Drink normal and coconut water to stay hydrated
- Drink milk
They cannot consume
- Rice, wheat or lentils
- Meat or fish
- Garlic and onion
If you cannot control your hunger pangs by consuming fruits, you can eat aloo jeers, sabudana khichdi, kuttu/singhare ki poori, and vada. People with health conditions should prefer undergoing a doctor’s appointment before bringing any changes to their diet.