Karmandir करमंदिरहिंदीGet the app

Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna ji

  • Puja vidhi
  • 6 Wishes to send
ShareTelegramXFacebook
Krishna Janmashtami

Why it is celebrated

Shri Krishna Janmashtami falls on the eighth day of the dark half of Bhadrapad. It is believed that Bhagwan Shri Krishna was born in Mathura at midnight under the Rohini nakshatra, so the main puja is done at midnight. Devotees fast through the day, decorate jhankis and celebrate the birth of Laddu Gopal.

The story

Kansa, the king of Mathura, was very cruel. A voice from the sky declared that the eighth son of his sister Devaki would end his cruelty. Out of fear, Kansa locked Devaki and her husband Vasudev in prison.

At midnight on Bhadrapad Krishna Ashtami, while heavy rain poured outside, Bhagwan Shri Krishna was born in the prison. At that very moment a miracle happened: the guards fell into a deep sleep, Vasudev's chains fell open, and the prison doors opened by themselves.

Vasudev placed baby Krishna in a basket, lifted it onto his head and set off towards the swollen Yamuna. Sheshnag spread his hoods over the baby like an umbrella, and the Yamuna touched the Lord's feet and made way.

Vasudev reached Gokul and left Krishna with Nand Baba and Yashoda Maiya. He took back with him the baby girl born to Yashoda ji that same night, and the prison became just as it was before.

The next morning there was a grand celebration at Nand Baba's house in Gokul for the birth of his little son. In memory of this, Nandotsav is celebrated on the day after Janmashtami.

Puja vidhi

  1. Bathe in the morning and take the sankalp of the fast; keep a fruit-only or waterless fast as your health allows.
  2. Decorate a jhanki or cradle at home, and keep new clothes, a crown and a flute ready for Laddu Gopal.
  3. Sing bhajans through the day and chant 'Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya' or the Hare Krishna mahamantra.
  4. At midnight (nishita kaal), blow the conch and ring the bell to celebrate the birth, and bathe Laddu Gopal with panchamrit and water.
  5. Dress and adorn him in new clothes, offer makhan-mishri, dhaniya panjiri and panchamrit with tulsi leaves, and do the aarti.
  6. Rock the cradle, share the prasad and break the fast after the midnight puja or the next morning, as your tradition says.

Food

Makhan-mishri, dhaniya panjiri, panchamrit, makhana kheer and, in many temples, chhappan bhog.

Wishes to send

  • Happy Krishna Janmashtami! By the grace of Nand's little one, may your home be filled with joy.

  • Nand ke anand bhayo, Jai Kanhaiya Lal ki! Janmashtami greetings to you and your family.

  • May naughty Kanha, the butter thief, fill your life with sweetness and smiles. Happy Janmashtami.

  • May the Lord who was born at midnight turn every darkness in your life into light. Jai Shri Krishna!

  • Like the sweet notes of the flute, may your life ring with love and peace. Janmashtami wishes.

  • May the wisdom of the Gita and the love of Kanha always be with you. Warm wishes on Shri Krishna's birth.

For your status

  • Jai Shri Krishna. Happy Janmashtami.

  • Joy has come to Nand's home.

  • Kanha arrives tonight.

Festivals