Krishna Janmashtami 2020: Play Dahi Handi This Gokulashtami

Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami, is one of the most significant Hindu festivals. On this day, devotees observe fast and worship Lord Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna.

Janmashtami in 2020 will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 12, 2020. According to the Hindu Calendar, it is celebrated on the 8th day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana. It is celebrated in each and every region of India with different rituals and customs. It is also known as Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti and much more. To know more about the festival of Janmashtami in 2020, Janmashtami rituals and find out about muhurat for Janmashtami puja.

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Janmashtami 2020 Muhurat

Before we go ahead and celebrate Janmashtami festival in 2020, let’s read more about Lord Krishna and the real story behind the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami. This way we would be able to carry out Janmashtami celebrations with full devotion and dedication.

The Legend Of Janmashtami

Kansa was the ruler of Mathura during Dwapara Yuga. He had a sister named Devaki who was married to Vasudeva. As the marriage solemnised, an Akashvani (a voice from sky) was heard that Devaki’s and Vasudev’s 8th son will mark an end to Kansa’s evil deeds and will save the people of Mathura. Listening to Akashvani, Kansa was terrified and wanted to kill Devaki. Vasudev begged for his wife's life and promised Kansa that he will handover all his newborn children to him. Kansa with no mercy imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva.

Kansa killed their six new born sons. His seventh son was Balarama who was transferred to Vasudeva’s second wife’s womb and thus he was saved. At the time of the birth of 8th child, Lord Vishnu appeared and said that he would be taking birth as a child. Hence, Lord Vishnu took birth as Lord Krishna at the end of the “'Dwapara Yuga” and the starting of the current Yuga, 'Kali Yuga'. Thus, the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated as Janmashtami. The birth of Govinda brings an end to all the evils which were existing at time of Dwapara Yuga.

Lord Vishnu asked Vasudeva to take the child (Balgopal) to his friend Nand’s house in Gokul. On the day of Ashtami at midnight, Lord Krishna was born in the prison of Kansa. By Lord Vishnu’s grace all the gates of prison got unlocked and the guards went off to sleep.

It is said that Vasudeva carried the divine baby through the river Yamuna on his head and through heavy rains. But as Lord Vishnu had assured that nothing shall block the path of Vasudeva, the very same thing happened. The river which was overflowing got subsided once the feet of Lord Krishna touched the river and the Naag (five mouthed snake) protected the child from rain.

Nand’s wife Yashoda, gave birth to a daughter. Vasudeva exchanged Lord Krishna with that girl child and came back to the prison. On the other hand, when the people of Gokul came to know about the birth of Nanda’s son they rejoiced in happiness.

Kansa came to know about the birth and tried to kill the baby. This time the baby transformed herself into the Goddess Yogamaya. She told Kansa that his death is near, as the child is already born. Post this incident, Shri Krishna grew up in Gokul and he marked the end of the atrocities of Kansa. Since that day, we celebrate Janmashtami as the birth of Lord Krishna. Balgopal performed various Leelas in Gokul. The people residing in Gokul celebrate Janmashtami as Gokulashtami.

Janmashtami or the Gokulashtami is among such festivals that are celebrated across the globe. Janmashtami is celebrated in various styles and forms. You can also celebrate this festival of Janmashtami in 2020 by enjoying the Leelas of Kanha.

Let’s tell you how Janmashtami is celebrated in various places. Also, let’s have some more knowledge about how people across the country and globe can celebrate Janmashtami in 2020. Read on to know what Lord Krishna would bring to you on this Krishna Janmashtami in 2020.

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Krishna Janmashtami in 2020: Different Ways Of Celebrations

The festival of Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated throughout the country marking the birth of Govinda. Lord Krishna is considered as a newborn and people love him, pamper him, and show respect for him on this day. On Janmashtami 2020, we should also try to have the same celebration throughout the country and make everyone feel the festivity. Let’s see how the celebration has been in various parts of the country and globe in the past years.

Since, Lord Krishna was born in Mathura and stayed in Gokul, the festival holds a great celebration time for the people belonging to these areas. Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul and Brij are the places where Lord Shree Krishna did a lot of Leelas (acts) (Ras Leela, Krishna Leela), hence this festival is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm, joy and devotion at these places.

Every year, the festival of Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with same dedication and rituals. Hopefully, this Janmashtami will again witness the same festivity. People believe that Lord Krishna was born at 12 midnight. So, they also remain awake and wait for the Balgopal to come. The celebration of Janmashtami is just the same as people wait for the birth of a newborn in their family.

On this day, people perform special Janmashtami rituals, carry out Poojas, keep fast, sing Bhajans, and dance to celebrate the birth of Krishna.The temples in these places are decorated and special Jhankis (tableaus) are organised. Lord Krishna is pampered as a newborn. People offer sweets and Jhulas (swing) to the newborn Krishna. This form of Balgopal is especially worshiped by pregnant ladies, who idolise their newborns to be like Balgopal.

Hopefully, you will also celebrate this Janmashtami 2020 with the same enthusiasm and devotion. Janmashtami is not only celebrated in India, however it is a festival that is celebrated across the country and globe.

Dahi Handi On Janmashtami

In the various parts of Maharashtra, Kanha’s birth is celebrated in a different form and style. At some places, this celebration is given the name as ‘Dahi Handi’.

This festival of Janmashtami is also known as Dahi Handi (buttermilk pot). Usually, the festival is a projection of Lord Krishna’s youth and he is worshiped as Govinda. The celebration of Dahi Handi festival depicts the love of Govinda toward butter, milk, Dahi (curd), and sweets. Various “Dahi Handi” events are organised in Mumbai where young boys make a Toli (troops) to perform this ceremony. Usually during the Dahi Handi ceremony, a group of boys make a human pyramid to break the Handi, which is tied in the air. The Dahi Handi festival on Janmashtami is also a depiction of one of the Govinda’s Leelas. On this Krishna Janmashtami 2020, the streets of Maharashtra will again witness various Tolis competing in the “Dahi Handi” festival.

Janmashtami 2020 Celebrations Across The Globe

Not only in India, but Janmashtami is celebrated in many countries across the globe. The birthday of Balgopal is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm in temples of ISKCON. The Mantras are chanted, Jhankis are organised, and special sweets are prepared. Many Govinda and ISKCON temple will also be decorated on this Krishna Jayanthi 2020. We all can witness the festivity behind the birth of Lord Krishna by performing Janmashtami puja as per the auspicious muhurat.

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Krishna Janmashtami Rituals

1. People observe a fast throughout the day till midnight when Balgopal is born, on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami.
2. People visit temples of Lord Krishna and offer him prayers, sweets, flowers, and milk.
3. At midnight, traditional prayers are offered to Govinda by priest in temples.
4. Baby cradles are installed in temples where Balgopal is placed in them, people offer their prayers to him and treat him as a newborn on Krishna Janmashtami.
5. Jhankis across the temples are made, special prayers are sung and various other events in various parts of the country take place on the occasion of Janmashtami.

Every year we share Lord Krishna wallpapers and Lord Krishna photos on Janmashtami with our friends, relatives and loved ones. Also, we apply them on the screens of our gadgets. Janmashtami SMS and greetings depict our love, respect, wishes and faith in Lord Krishna. So, don’t miss out all this on Janmashtami 2020 and wish your loved ones a fun filled Happy Janmashtami. Let’s know how this Krishna Janmashtami 2020 can be turned out into a big celebration and how the people of the country and abroad would celebrate Janmashtami.