Janmashtami 2022: All About the Grand Celebration of Lord Krishna’s Birth

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India is the land of festivals and Janmashtami is one of the most popular and vibrant among all. It is an annual Hindu celebration held during the monsoons. Krishna Janmashtami, Krishnashtami, Sri Krishna Jayanti, Gokulashtami, or simply Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This makes the day a landmark for followers of the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism.

The day is celebrated with great zeal, and people, from the children to the elderly, revel in joy on this day. Animated rituals, extravagant decorations, and prayer offerings are among the characteristics of the Janmashtami celebration.

Why do we celebrate it?

As per the Hindu calendar, Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami (8th day of the month) of Krishna Paksha (the period of fading moon) in the holy month of Shraavana. He was the eighth son of Vasudeva and Devaki, the sister of Mathura’s brutal king Kansa. When Kansa learned about the prophecy that Devaki’s eighth son would be the cause of his death, he locked up both Vasudeva and Devaki in a prison cell. Each of their children met with the same fate: death in the hands of Kansa.

This was until their eighth son was born. As per the instructions of a divine voice, Devaki carried Krishna on his head and walked all the way from Mathura to Vrindavan which was to be a safe haven for the newborn child. Yashoda and Nand took care of Krishna during his childhood days in Vrindavan. Krishna’s acts of mischief and heroism, his encounter with Kansa and other monsters, his fame as Makhanchor (one who steals butter), etc. are popular across the country.

How is Janmashtami celebrated in India?

Janmashtami is observed all over the country and even outside the country. Several places in Malaysia, Canada, and even Paris celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth with an equal amount of enthusiasm.

Days before the actual Muharat (the most auspicious moment marking the start of an activity), you would find markets bustling with shopkeepers and buyers haggling over heaps of tinsels, redolent flowers, lights, peacock feathers, and other decorative items.

Devotional songs—sometimes Bollywood ones too like Go Go Go Govinda—start blaring through the speakers. People get busy with house decorations, arrangements of the puja space, and preparation of Makhan (white butter). They also make an assortment of delectable prasads (sweetmeats that are devotional offerings) like peda, malpua, panjiri, etc. for the Puja day.

Fasting

Women draw tiny footprints on the floor of their house to show that the Lord has walked into the abode and showered his blessings on its inhabitants. On the day of Janmashtami, devotees also hold fast that can be broken only when Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra are over the next day. This is the nirjala fast. Devotees may also decide upon a phallar fast during this period and eat only fruits and light sattvik food.

Main Puja

At Nishita Kal or midnight, the main ritualistic puja is performed. There are sixteen steps in total which are a part of the Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi. Bhajans and Kirtans dedicated to the Blue God are sung throughout the midnight as people keep a ratri jagaran (night vigil). Some people visit the temple of Lord Krishna or Vishu to offer prayers while others do the puja in their homes.

Dahi Handi

One of the spectacles of the celebration is Dahi Handi, an event that narrates the story of young Krishna as Makhanchor. Handi or an earthen pot is filled with white butter, ghee, dry fruits, and milk. It is then hung with ropes at some height from the ground. As people gather around it to witness the moment, the young boys in the locality would form a human pyramid, climb up to the Handi and break it.

Ras Leela

Ras Leela is yet another happening episode of the celebration. Often youngsters would get involved in preparing skits and through dance-drama, they would portray the chronicles of Krishna’s life. As throngs of people get enraptured by the play sitting in the audience, for the young performers, this becomes one of the most enjoyable moments during Janmashtami.

Date and time of Puja for Janmashtami 2022

2022 is said to mark the 5249th birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. The puja timings are distributed between two dates: 18th and 19th August.

Janmashtami Tithi: August 18, 2022

Ashtami Tithi begins at: 09:20 p.m., August 18

Ashtami ends at: 10:59 p.m., August 19

Nishita Puja Time: 11:18 p.m. to 12:03 a.m., August 19

Duration: 45 Minutes

Dahi Handi: August 19

Rohini Nakshatra begins at: 01:53 a.m., August 20

Best of Janmashtami celebrations in India

If you wish to witness the celebrations in its most magnificent forms, here are the places you should be visiting during Janmashtami in India. Once you do, you would realize how Janmashtami is not just a religious celebration. It is one massive cultural event that brings sheer joy, unites people, and lets you dive deeper into India’s principal Hindu culture.

Please bear in mind that it is important to abide by COVID-19 entry regulations and restrictions which may be in place in the below-mentioned destinations.

Mathura

Indian mythology cites Mathura as the holy birthplace of Bal Gopal, an alias of Lord Krishna. Here in Mathura, on that one squally night, Devki gave birth to a boy child who would go on to become one among the most revered of all Indian divinities. And of course, you would expect one of the grandest celebrations to take place in the region where it all began. The whole of the city gets decked up, the splendor of which draws devotees and tourists from across the world.

The celebration here takes place in two parts:

Jhulanotsav

In this customary practice, Krishna devotees place the lord’s idol on a swing (jhulan) in the courtyards of their house and in temples to mark his birth. Early morning, the ceremony of Abhishek or anointment takes place where the idols are bathed in milk and honey and embellished with new clothes and ornaments.

Ghatas

As a part of this tradition, all the temples in the region are adorned following a similar color scheme. The Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex is the main collection of Hindu temples in the area where Krishna was believed to have been born. The sounds of the devotees’ chants, the conches, and temple bells reverberate through the lanes of Mathura.

Vrindavan

Located some 15 km away, Vrindavan is where Lord Krishna grew up. Today, there are over 4000 temples in Vrindavan. It is also in the forests of Vrindavan where Krishna had played around with the gopis and Radha and performed Ras Leela (romantic dance). Celebrations in the town commence 10 days before the lord’s birth date. The entire town is lit up throughout this period, with temples being adorned and Ras Leela being performed everywhere.

Dwarka

The historic city of Dwarka in Gujarat is one of the seven most primitive religious places in India (Sapta Puri). Its religious significance can also be established by the fact that it is one of the char dhams (four sites) of Hindu Pilgrimage. As Dwarka was the kingdom of Lord Krishna after he left Mathura, Janmashtami celebrations are held here with great vigor.

Mangal Aarti is performed in every corner of the town. After the aarti at midnight, the birth moment, temples distribute Banta Bhog and Utsav Bhog. With night-long celebrations characterized by bhajans, Ras Leela, and Gujrat’s famous garba events, it is definitely one of the best places to be at during Janmashtami.

Gokul

Gokul is precisely the place where Devaki left his newborn child under the guardianship of Nanda and Yashodamai. As Krishna was brought here after his midnight birth, the residents of this quaint historic town celebrate Janmashtami a day after the whole country.  Janmashtami, therefore, is also known as Gokulashtami. The place is filled with stories of Krishna’s mischiefs and bravery as a child, giving tourists a flavor of the town’s rustic beauty and its people’s devotion towards Krishna. And, on the puja day, the residents shower curd and turmeric on each other to celebrate Dadhikana (also known as Nandotsav).

Mumbai

The aura of the commercial capital of India changes overnight when it comes to the celebration of festivals. Janmashtami in Mumbai is one such event where Mumbai never fails to amaze even in the matters of culture and religion. Its Dahi Handi functions are like none in the entire country. The Govind mandals who take part in this celebration are much famed throughout India. People group themselves and engage in healthy competitions, going from one place to another, forming human pyramids, and breaking the suspended pots to claim prizes.

Happy Janmashtami!