Krishna Janmashtami 2018: Date, significance, muhrat, celebrations and more

Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Krishna is believed to be born at midnight on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Shravan. This year Janmashtami falls between September 2 to September 3. The festival is also known as the ‘Dahi Handi’ festival in Maharashtra.

Janmashtami 2018 celebration:

Meanwhile, with the festive atmosphere buzzing around, the Ghats and monuments have been lit-up in Mathura and Vrindavan, while social media has been flooded with colourful celebration pictures from across the country.

Read | Janmashtami 2018: Fill your platter with top traditional food recipes

History and Significance:

As per the Indian mythology, Lord Krishna, son of Devaki and King Vasudeva lived over 5000 years ago in Mathura. Unfortunately, Devaki's brother Kansa, who was the then ruler of Mathura, wanted to kill Krishna as he was believed to be the reason for his fall. In the meantime, Vasudeva in a bid to protect Krishna from Kansa's evil forces took him to Gokul where he was raised by his foster parents Nanda and Yashoda.

From dodging several assassinations attempts by uncle Kansa to growing up as a charming cow herder in Gokul, every minute details of Krishna's much-celebrated life can be found in Hindu epic Mahabharata.

Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated to worship Lord Krishna so that he eliminates the evil forces and good may always triumph. To seek his blessings, Krishna Abhishek (bathing Krishna’s idol) is performed, where milk, ghee and water are offered to the deity. Lakhs of Hindu followers also throng temples to offer prayers to him. His devotees also observe fast for the entire day.

Read | Janmashtami 2018 celebrations: Whatsapp messages, Wishes and Quotes

Date and Muhrat:

Krishna Janmashtami 2018: Date (Puja Tithi) and Time

Ashtami tithi starts: 8:47 pm on September 2, 2018

Ashtami tithi ends: 7:20 pm on September 3, 2018