Hindu festival Krishna Janamashtami is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. According to the Hindu mythologies, Lord Krishna is the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu, one of the Trimurti of Hinduism. The day is also known as Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Sri Krishnashtami and Srikrishna Jayanti in various parts of India.
As per the Hindu epics, Lord Krishna was born in a dungeon in Mathura in Uttar Pradesh to Queen Devaki and King Vasudeva. Krishna is described as the god of love, tenderness and compassion. He loves dairy products like butter and ghee, therefore the festival of Dahi Handi is celebrated on the next day of Janamashtami.
Krishna Janamashtami 2021: Time, Date and Subh Muharat
Krishna Janamashtami 2021 – Date: 30 August 2021 (Monday)
Dahi Handi 2021 – Date: 31 August, 2021 (Tuesday)
Ashtami Tithi – 11:25 pm (August 29) to 1:59 am (August 31)
Rohini Nakshatra – 06:39 am (August 30) to 9:44 am (August 31)
Nishita Puja Time in Mathura – 11:57 pm (August 30) to 12:42 am (August 31)
The devotees on this day, observe fast and break it the next day after offering prayers. In Hindi, fast-breaking is called ‘Paran,’ which means completion of vows. Devotees can break their fast after 5:58 am (August 31).
Krishna Janamashtami 2021: Significance
On Krishna Janamashtami, devotees worship Lord Krishna with love and joy. Puja happens at midnight as it is believed that Lord Krishna was born at midnight. Temples are decorated with flowers and garlands. On this day, people listen and read Bhagavad Gita as the popular description of Lord Krishna is found in the Mahabharata as the charioteer of Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war. He kept Arjuna on the side of “dharma”.