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Janmashtami is one of the widely celebrated festivals of the Hindus. On this day, the Hindus commemorate the birth of their famous god, Lord Krishna. Read on to know when Janmashtami is celebrated every year.
When is Janmashtami celebrated?
Janmashtami falls on the 8th day or Ashtami of the Krishna Paksha during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada. It is generally celebrated on the month of August or September (according to the Christian Calendar) every year. The Janmashtami date for 2011 is August 22.
Lord Krishna is said to have been born on the Rohini Nakshatra (star). But Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami does not always fall on the same date. Hence, the devotees of the Lord often celebrate his birthday on 2 dates, one coinciding with the Rohini Nakshatra and the other with the Ashtami of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. The first day is known as Krishnashtami and the second day is known as Kalashtami.
The birth of Lord Krishna took place at midnight between these 2 days. Hence, devotees start observing the Janmashtami from the midnight itself. They indulge in chanting hymns and conducting aarti in honor of Lord Krishna. People sing bhajans and rock the cradle of the Lord just to imply that he has arrived. They bath the deity with a mixture of milk, honey, oil, ghee, and gangajal, which is known as the Panchamrit. The Panchamrit is then offered to the devotees as ‘Prasad’.
On the Janmashtami, people from all over the world visit Mathura and Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna stayed when he was a child. They participate in prayers, devotional songs and dances to commemorate the birth of their Lord. The decorations of the temples of Lord Krishna and the celebrations on Janmashtami speak about its popularity among the devotees of Lord Krishna who is widely worshipped with utmost dedication and devotion on this auspicious day.
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