As Janmashtami 2020 is approaching, here is the important information about the exact date, Pooja time, its significance, and how it is celebrated.
When Is Janmashtami 2020?
During the times of coronavirus, festivals are the times that are keeping up hopeful and happy. As the festive season is approaching, no one would deny that our excitement levels are still high. As we just celebrated Eid & Rakhi, now many are gearing up for the Janmashtami celebration, which would just follow after independence Day. The festival is celebrated by Indians not only across India but around the world with a lot of enthusiasm and energy. Celebrated on the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
This year, Janmashtami would be celebrated on 11th August 2020 while you may find some people celebrating it on 12th August as well. Here’s the complete Date & Pooja Timings Of Janmashtami 2020 And Dahi Handi.
Date and Pooja Timings Of Janmashtami 2020 And Dahi Handi:
Janmashtami Tithi – 11th August, 2020
Nishita Puja Time – 12:21 AM to 01:06 AM, August 12
Dahi Handi on Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Ashtami Tithi Begins – 09:06 AM on August 11, 2020
Ashtami Tithi Ends – 11:16 AM on August 12, 2020
(Source: Drikpanchang.com)
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Significance Of Janmasthami:Â Why Janmasthami is celebrated?
Did you know Janmasthami is also known as Gokulashtami? It is celebrated each year on Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of Shraavana or Bhadrapad. This day marks an important celebration when devotees pay their respect to Lord Krishna and engross themselves in the celebrations.
During this celebration, many often enact the birth episode of Krishna either in form of a skit or by putting up a beautiful ‘jhaanki‘ (decorations, structures, and motifs depicting the legendary episode). Many devotees also choose to stay up till midnight for the Krishna Abhishek. The night-long celebrations include devotional songs and folklores about Krishnaji and his deeds.
As per the famous mythological legend, Krishna was the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva. As per the prophecy, Devaki’s eighth son would cause Kansa’s death. Kansa was Mathura’s cruel king, who was also the brother of Devaki. After hearing the prophecy, Kansa threw both Devaki and Vasudeva in prison and started killing their every son until Krishna was born.
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On the fortunate night of Krishna’s birth, a divine voice appeared. This voice gave instructions to Vasudeva to keep Krishna safe. The voice asked Vasudev to carry Krishna to Vrindavan as he would be safe there from Kansa’s attack. And, once he is grown up, he will return to Mathura to end the cruel King and save Mathura from its miseries.
As instructed, Vasudeva traveled from Mathura to Vrindavan on foot, carrying little Krishna on top of his head. He faced a very stormy night but finally reached Vrindavan to handover Krishna to Nand and Yashodha. Many famous and heroic tales and acts of Krishna like stealing butter, playing with his friends, teasing fellow villagers, are all very popular across the country.
Significance of Janmashtami Fast And Prasads To Prepare
On the auspicious day of Janmashtami, many devotees observe fast and spend time chanting bhajans. Based on one’s ability to fast, some may opt for ‘nirjala‘ fast, while many obseve ‘phal-ahaar‘ fast where they only consume fruits, milk, and light sattvik foods. One of the favorite attractions of the festival is the different kinds of prasads made for little Krishna – like malpua, panjiri, kheer, peda etc.
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At IFORHER, we wish you a very Happy Janmashtami! Hope you and your family enjoy it to the fullest.
