Complete Guide to Janmashtami Puja 2024: Vidhi, Samagri List and Timings

Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami, is an important Hindu festival commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. It falls on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) in the Hindu calendar.

Janmashtami Festival 2024: Dates and Shubh muhurat

This year's Janmashtami festival takes place today (August 26). Ashtami tithi of Krishna Paksha. Nishith Puja Muhurat is from 24:00:30 to 24:45:02 and lasts for 44 minutes, and Janmashtami Parana Muhurat is from 05:56:15 on August 27. The Janmashtami fast begins with Ashtami and ends with Navami iftar.

Janmashtami 2024: Ceremony

• The puja is performed at midnight, which is the time when Krishna was born.
• The idol of Krishna is worshiped and often dressed in new clothes.
• Sing devotional songs and chant the name of Krishna.
• A childhood event in memory of Krishna is the breaking of Dahi Handi (an earthenware pot filled with curd and butter).
• Perform Raslila, a dramatic reenactment of Krishna's life.
• Observe a day's fast or part of it and break it only after the midnight prayer.
• A puja thali is offered with items such as incense, flowers and sweets.
• Offer bhog (prasad) such as milk, curd, cream or sweets.
• Perform aarti to Krishna using an earthen lamp or camphor flame.
• Break your fast after sunrise the next day and have a meal or prasad.

How to perform Lord Krishna worship

1. Idol positioningPlace the Krishna idol in the northeast corner of your home, facing east or west.
2. Prepare the puja areaClean and decorate the area with flowers, incense, and other ritual items.
3. Bathing and dressing idolsThe idol is bathed in milk, ghee and honey and dressed in new clothes.
4. Provide puja itemsFlowers, fruits and other sacrificial items are offered to Lord Krishna.
5. chant mantraChant Krishna mantras and hymns from the Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads.
6. Performing aartiPerform aarti lamp or camphor flame.
7. soft quoteOffer kind food and fruits to Lord Krishna.
8. seek blessingsSeek the blessings of happiness, peace and prosperity from Lord Krishna.