Krishna Janmashtami: An Hindu Festival
, by javed techqart, 8 min reading time
Janmashtami is a special Hindu festival where they celebrate Lord Krishna's birth. This festival is very important to millions of people all over the world. In 2023, this festival will become even more special because people will also celebrate by worshiping statues of Brass Radha Krishna Idol. This makes the celebration more beautiful, especially because it is about their divine love story.
Janmashtami is also called Krishna Janmashtami. It's the day when Lord Krishna, who is believed to be the eighth form of Lord Vishnu, was born. This day falls on the eighth day of the dark part of the month (called Krishna Paksha) in the Hindu calendar month of Bhadrapada. This festival is not just a regular celebration; it has a deeper meaning. It shows the victory of good things over bad things and how divine powers make sure that what's right prevails.
Janmashtami 2023 Date
This year, there is confusion about when to celebrate the Krishna Janmashtami festival– on September 6 or 7. According to a trusted Hindu calendar called Drik Panchang, this festival will be celebrated two days in a row. The special part, called Ashtami Tithi, begins at 15:37 on September 6, 2023, and ends at 16:14 on September 7, 2023.
Because of this timing, the joyful celebrations of the Krishna Janmashtami festival will happen on both days. This is good news for people who love this festival because they get to celebrate it for two days. People are excited about this day because they can pray, enjoy, and be part of the celebrations. During these celebrations, they do different rituals and activities that remind them of the many sides of Lord Krishna.
Is Janmashtami on September 6 or 7?
The question of whether Janmashtami falls on September 6 or 7 this year is a matter of consideration. The way the stars and celestial events line up adds an interesting twist to this special time.
In the year 2023, something special is happening in the sky. A star pattern called Rohini Nakshatra is connected to Lord Krishna. On September 6, at 09:20 am, this star pattern will start shining in the sky, continuing until 10:25 am on September 7.
Here's the exciting part: How this star pattern and the Ashtami Tithi (a special day in the lunar calendar) come together to match the night when Krishna's birth is celebrated on September 6. This beautiful coming together of events means that the important Krishna Janmashtami festival will be celebrated on the same day.
Mark your calendars for the noteworthy timing of Krishna Janmashtami festival in 2023
Krishna Janmashtami 2023 Date: Wednesday, 6 September
Nishita Puja Time: 23:57 to 00:42, 7 September
Duration of Puja: 00 Hours 46 Mins
Dahi Handi: Thursday, September 7, 2023
Why Janmashtami is Celebrated for Two Days: Smarta and Vaishnav Janmashtami
Lord Krishna is a beloved figure in Hinduism, known for his kindness, love, and playful nature. He brings hope and inspiration to many people. The celebration of his birth, called Janmashtami, is a special occasion for Hindus. Interestingly, Janmashtami is celebrated for two days, and this is because of two different ways of observing the festival: the Smarta Sampradaya and the Vaishnav Sampradaya.
Think of Smarta and Vaishnav as two groups within Hinduism, each with its own way of doing things. Sometimes, the celebration dates for Janmashtami are the same for both groups, and they celebrate together. But sometimes, the dates are different, and that's when the two-day celebration happens.
The Vaishnav Way
People who follow the Vaishnav tradition focus on two important things: the eighth day after the new moon (called Ashtami Tithi) and a special star constellation called Rohini Nakshatra. They don't celebrate Janmashtami on the seventh day after the new moon (Saptami Tithi). According to the Vaishnav way, Janmashtami always falls on the eighth or ninth day after the new moon, as per the Hindu calendar.
The Smarta Way
The Smarta group has a more detailed approach. They pay attention to a specific time called Nishita, which is the middle of the night. They also consider the Ashtami Tithi and the presence of the Rohini Nakshatra during this time. Based on these factors, they decide when to celebrate Janmashtami. According to the Smarta tradition, Janmashtami always falls on the Hindu calendar's seventh or eighth day after the new moon.
Different But United
Even though the Smarta and Vaishnav ways differ, they both show love and devotion to Lord Krishna. They find their special way of celebrating within Hinduism. This diversity makes Hinduism rich and colorful.
As Janmashtami arrives, the celebrations by Smarta and Vaishnav followers blend, creating a beautiful atmosphere of devotion and love for Lord Krishna.
The Appeal of Brass Radha Krishna Statues
One of the distinctive features of Janmashtami 2023 is the adoration of Brass Radha Krishna statues. These intricately crafted brass Krishna statues capture the divine essence of Lord Krishna and his beloved Radha. Made from high-quality brass, these brass Krishna statues are revered for their aesthetic appeal and the spiritual energy they are believed to radiate. The lustrous shine of brass symbolizes the purity of the love shared between Radha and Krishna.
Celebrating Krishna Janmashtami Festival
Krishna Janmashtami festival is celebrated with immense devotion and enthusiasm. Devotees engage in various activities and rituals, including:
Fasting: Many devotees observe fasting until midnight, the time believed to be the birth hour of Lord Krishna. The fast is broken with prasad, a special offering to the deity.
Midnight Pooja: The midnight hour holds special significance as it marks the exact time of Lord Krishna's birth. Elaborate pujas (worship rituals) are performed in temples and homes, accompanied by singing of devotional songs and hymns.
Rasa Lila: Traditional dance dramas depicting the life of Lord Krishna, especially his enchanting dance with the gopis (cowherd girls), are performed.
Swinging the Cradle: An endearing ritual involves placing a beautifully decorated cradle with a small idol of Lord Krishna, which devotees gently rock to commemorate his birth.
Dahi Handi: This lively tradition involves forming human pyramids to break pots filled with curd, butter, and other goodies, reminiscent of young Krishna's mischievous nature of stealing butter.
Krishna Janmashtami Festival Rituals
Krishna Janmashtami is a special time when we celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. People all around the world who follow Hinduism take part in this celebration. They do different things to show their love and devotion to Lord Krishna.
During this time, the temples where people worship Lord Krishna are made to look very beautiful. There are also parades in the streets where people walk together and celebrate. At places where people gather to pray, they sing songs and chant together. This makes the atmosphere feel very peaceful and happy.
People do many things during this celebration to show their love for Lord Krishna. They act out stories from his life using dance and drama. At the exact time Krishna was born - in the middle of the night - people sing songs to remember him. Some people also fast and don't eat for a certain time. Others stay awake at night, called a night vigil, to honor his birth.
One special thing that happens is the dressing up of brass Krishna statues. These brass Krishna statues are carefully cleaned and dressed in new clothes and pretty jewelry. They are then put in cradles to show the moment of his birth. Another nice tradition is when women paint little footprints with flour or color outside their doors and in their kitchens. This is like a way of inviting Lord Krishna into their homes.
The Krishna Janmashtami festival celebration is grand in places like Mathura and Vrindavan, which were important in Lord Krishna's life. It's also celebrated in many other parts of India, where people love Lord Krishna. After Krishna Janmashtami, another festival called Nandotsav adds to the joy.
Conclusion
Janmashtami 2023 offers a unique opportunity to celebrate the divine love of Radha and Krishna while embracing their teachings of love, devotion, and righteousness. The presence of Brass Radha Krishna Idols adds an extra layer of beauty to the festivities, capturing the essence of their divine play. As devotees come together to commemorate this auspicious occasion, they reflect on the timeless wisdom imparted by Lord Krishna's life and teachings.
