Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, one of the beloved festivals in India, is celebrated on the occasion of the birth of Lord Krishna. The festival lights up the whole nation, especially historical cities like Mathura, Vrindavan, and Dwarka. Krishna Janmashtami 2024 will mark the 5251st birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Ashtami begins on August 26, 2024, at 03:39 AM and ends on August 27, 2024, at 02:19 AM.
The celebration of Krishna Janmashtami takes place over two days to celebrate Lord Krishna. Devotees honour the day with devotion, offering prayers to Lord Krishna and spreading the teachings of the Gita, which he imparted. The first day is known as Janmashtami, and the second is Dahi Handi.
On Janmashtami, people honour Krishna’s birth with colourful decorations and prayers. The following day, various groups form human pyramids to break matkis filled with curd all across the country. On this auspicious day, let’s explore the two-day celebration of Janmashtami.
Janmashtami 2024 Celebrations: Day 1
On Day One, people begin preparing for the celebration of Lord Krishna’s birth, who is considered the eighth incarnation of Vishnu.
Food plays a big role, as dishes are made from milk and curds which are considered Krishna’s favourite ingredients.
Some devotees even fast for the entire first day and break their fast at midnight, the time of Krishna’s birth.
Hindus stay awake throughout the night, sing bhajans, and dance to traditional songs. Temples are decorated and people chant holy mantras.
Janmashtami 2024 Celebrations: Day 2
On the second day of the celebrations, known as Dahi Handi, the festivities take a unique turn.
Throughout the day, teams of boys and girls form human pyramids and try breaking pots filled with curd that are hung at a certain height.
Through this fun activity, people reenact the mischief of Lord Krishna. Religious legends share the story of how Krishna and his friends used to steal butter and enjoy eating among themselves.
To stop their mischief, the gopis started hanging the butter pots high up from the ground which they thought the children couldn’t reach.
But Krishna and his group were clever, and would always find a way to steal the butter.
Moreover, Janmashtami celebrations begin 10 days before the festival in Mathura and Vrindavan with a variety of cultural and religious events such as Rasleelas, Bhajans, Kirtans, and Pravachans.
Other than celebrating Lord Krishna’s birth, people also honour his biological parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, alongside his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda during the celebrations. Krishna’s siblings, Balabhadra and Subhadra, are also worshipped during the festival.
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