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India.com
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Janmashtami 2025: Know More About Lesser- Known Facts Of Krishnas Birthday
Janmashtami, the celebration of Lord Krishna's birth, is one of the most vibrant and spiritually significant festivals in India and around the world. While devotees observe fasts, sing bhajans, and participate in midnight celebrations, many lesser-known aspects of this divine festival make it even more fascinating. Here are some unknown facts about Krishna Janmashtami that reveal the depth of tradition, culture, and devotion associated with the occasion. 1. Krishna Was Born at Midnight in Prison Lord Krishna was born in Mathura, in a prison cell where his parents, Devaki and Vasudeva, were held captive by King Kansa. His birth at the stroke of midnight symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. 2. Janmashtami Is Celebrated for Two Days In many parts of India, Janmashtami is observed for two days. The first day is known as Krishna Jayanti or Gokulashtami, while the second day is called Dahi Handi or Nandotsav, symbolizing the joy and playful nature of Krishna. 3. Different Names Across India know the Festival While North India calls it Janmashtami, in Maharashtra it is celebrated as Dahi Handi, in South India as Sri Krishna Jayanthi, and in Gujarat as Makhan Handi. Each region has its traditions and unique ways of honoring Krishna. 4. Fasting on Janmashtami Is Different from Usual Vrats Devotees usually fast until midnight, breaking it only after Krishna's birth is celebrated with special prayers and rituals. Instead of regular food, people often consume satvik items like fruits, milk, and butter – Lord Krishna's favorite. 5. Dahi Handi Has a Historical Connection The popular tradition of Dahi Handi, where groups of young men form human pyramids to break a pot of curd hung high, reflects Krishna's childhood mischief of stealing butter and curd from the houses of Gopis. It has now become a competitive cultural event in Maharashtra. 6. ISKCON Temples Celebrate It Grandly Worldwide From Vrindavan to New York and London, ISKCON temples host grand celebrations with bhajans, raas-leela performances, and midnight aarti. Devotees across the globe gather to chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra on this auspicious night. 7. The Bhagavad Gita Is Recited on Janmashtami Many devotees spend the day reading or listening to passages from the Bhagavad Gita. Since Krishna is the speaker of this sacred text, reciting it on his birthday is considered highly auspicious. 8. Special Jhankis Depicting Krishna's Life Are Created Temples and homes often set up miniature models or jhankis that depict scenes from Krishna's life—his birth, childhood leelas, Govardhan lifting, and Raas-leela. These displays are both devotional and educational. 9. Janmashtami Is Not Just About Devotion but Also Community Bonding The festival brings people together through cultural performances, devotional singing, and group celebrations. It strengthens the sense of unity, joy, and shared spirituality in communities. 10. The Butter Connection Is More Than a Myth Krishna's love for butter isn't just a childhood tale—it symbolizes simplicity, purity, and the essence of nourishment. That's why butter and milk-based sweets like makhan misri and panjiri are offered as bhog on Janmashtami.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Krishna's kindness
Unable to bear the atrocities of Kamsa, everyone, from ordinary people to devas, aligned with the goddess of earth, Bhooma Devi, and decided to petition Maha Vishnu in person. At that moment, Vishnu Himself declared through an oracle that He would manifest on earth as Krishna and end Kamsa's cruelty. Overjoyed by this, the devas wanted to know if they should all turn into monkeys and populate Kishkinta country, as they had been advised by Him, ahead of His Rama avatar. An amused Vishnu responded, saying they could take any form they desired, from animate to inanimate, and await Him in Brindavan. They promptly landed on Nandagopal's property, who was astounded by the sudden spurt in the population of his cattle, said Damal Perundevi. Having already chosen His earth parents Devaki and Vasudeva and the foster parents Nandagopa and Yasoda, Vishnu asked Adisesha to precede Him as Balaram, conceived by Devaki, but delivered by Vasudeva's other wife through fetal transfer, while He Himself would arrive as the younger brother. Kamsa, Devaki's brother, celebrated her marriage to Vasudeva in a grand manner, bursting with brotherly love, when an oracle declared that the newly-wed's eighth child would kill Kamsa. An angry Kamsa was about to kill Devaki at once, when Vasudeva intervened and promised to deliver the new borns to him. Appeased somewhat, Kamsa then lodged the couple in a jail. Vasudeva did as promised. When Krishna's time to emerge came about, at midnight in the Tamil month of Avani, on Ashtami, under the Rohini star, Krishna decided to be born with His full regalia. His trademark weapons took on miniature form, the tiny crown glistened on His forehead, replete with peacock feather, and He sported a piece of yellow silk cloth around His waist, while the ankles jangled to the tinkle of bells from the anklet. Why did Krishna bedeck Himself so? It is because He was aware that Devaki would get but a fleeting glance at Him before He was given up. As a mother, the agony of such a parting is immeasurable and out of kindness, He decided that Devaki should get a good look at him, in full splendour.
Hans India
5 days ago
- General
- Hans India
Janmashtami 2025: Date, City-Wise Muhurat, Fasting Rules, Rituals, and Lord Krishna's Birth Story
Krishna Janmashtami, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, will be celebrated this year on August 16, 2025. The auspicious Nishita Puja is scheduled between 12:04 AM and 12:47 AM, with the midnight moment falling at 12:26 AM. The Ashtami Tithi begins at 11:49 PM on August 15 and concludes at 9:34 PM on August 16. This year's celebration occurs without the Rohini Nakshatra during the Nishita Puja. City-Wise Nishita Puja Muhurat • New Delhi: 12:04 AM – 12:47 AM • Mumbai: 12:20 AM – 01:05 AM • Ahmedabad: 12:22 AM – 01:06 AM • Bengaluru: 12:01 AM – 12:47 AM • Chennai: 11:51 PM – 12:36 AM • Kolkata: 11:19 PM, Aug 16 – 12:03 AM, Aug 17 • Pune: 12:17 AM – 01:02 AM • Jaipur: 12:10 AM – 12:53 AM • Hyderabad: 11:58 PM – 12:43 AM • Gurgaon: 12:05 AM – 12:48 AM • Chandigarh: 12:06 AM – 12:49 AM • Noida: 12:03 AM – 12:47 AM Fasting Traditions and Parana Rules Devotees typically consume a single meal before the fasting day. The fast is broken after the Ashtami Tithi ends. In 2025, the traditional Parana time is after 5:51 AM on August 16, while modern observances may end the fast after the midnight puja. Many regions follow the Dharma Shastra tradition, breaking the fast post-sunrise following Deva Puja and Visarjan rituals. Two common fast types include: • Nirjala Fast: No food or water until midnight or after rituals. • Phalahar Fast: Only fruits, milk, and permitted items; grains, pulses, onions, garlic, and regular salt are avoided. Rituals and Celebrations The day is dedicated to prayers, bhajans, temple visits, and scriptural readings. Devotees perform Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi at midnight, symbolizing the moment of Krishna's birth. Dahi Handi festivities will also take place on August 16, featuring teams recreating Krishna's playful pot-breaking tradition. The Birth of Lord Krishna Lord Krishna, regarded as the eighth avatar of Vishnu, was born to Vasudeva and Devaki in Mathura while they were imprisoned by Devaki's brother, the tyrant Kansa. A prophecy foretold that Devaki's eighth child would end Kansa's reign. To protect the newborn, Vasudeva carried Krishna across the Yamuna River to Gokul, where he was raised by Nanda and Yashoda. Years later, Krishna fulfilled the prophecy by defeating Kansa.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
Krishna's birth: The night that brought light
Janmashtami is on August 16, so let us recall that night in Mathura when it happened, drawing from the Srimad Bhagavatam: Mahavishnu meditated in heaven before taking his eighth descent to earth. He put himself through these hardships for mortals because he was sworn to protect the good, punish the wicked and set the world right from age to age. As Krishna, he had chosen to be 'born' in jail. His earthly parents, Princess Devaki and Prince Vasudev, had waved happily from their carriage at the cheering people of Mathura on their wedding day. Devaki's brother Kamsa, king of Mathura, drove them himself through the city to greet the people. But a bodiless voice had silenced them all when it rang through the air to say that Devaki's eighth child would kill Kamsa. Kamsa had instantly drawn his sword to kill his sister. But Vasudev had caught his sword arm. 'It is not your sister's fault, king,' he had said steadily. 'Take our eighth child, if you must, but do not kill Devaki.' Kamsa had locked them up in Mathura Jail, and each time a child appeared, he had dashed the baby's head against the stone walls, killing it instantly. How afraid Vasudev and Devaki had been when she began to expect the dreaded eighth child. As her time drew near, they grew calm and resolute. They had clearly been chosen for some task beyond their understanding and would meet it with courage. Devaki sensed that her child would be born on the eighth night of the moon's dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada.
India Today
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
When is Krishna Janmashtami 2025? Date, significance and rituals
Krishna Janmashtami is among the happiest and most colourful festivals in all of India. This festival commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, recognised for his kindness, beauty, and fun-loving 2025, Krishna Janmashtami will take place on Friday, 15 August. This celebration takes place on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the Hindu lunar month of this day, homes and temples are beautifully decorated. Followers observe fasts, sing devotional songs, and gather to listen to stories about Krishna's life. The highlight of the day occurs at midnight, which is believed to be the time of Krishna's birth. Followers take small statues of baby Krishna, place them in a beautifully decorated cradle, and the celebrations reach their peak. Music, singing, dancing, and prayer. Date and time according to Drikpanchang:Krishna Janmashtami on Friday, August 15, 2025Nishita Puja Time - 12:20 AM to 01:05 AM, Aug 16Duration - 00 Hours 45 MinsDahi Handi on Saturday, August 16, 2025Krishna was born over 5,000 years ago in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, at midnight, inside a prison cell. His parents, Devaki and Vasudeva, were imprisoned by the evil king Kansa, who feared that Devaki's eighth child would be his destroyer. Despite the danger, Vasudeva managed to carry baby Krishna across the Yamuna River to Gokul, where Krishna grew up families fast until midnight and then break their fast with sweets and milk-based dishes. Small statues of baby Krishna are bathed in milk, dressed in new clothes, and placed in cradles. Homes are decorated with flowers and rangoli, and devotional songs (bhajans) are sung to celebrate Krishna's birth.- EndsMust Watch
