Krishna as Damodara
5 September 2015 is Sri Krishna Janmashtami (Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami). Sri Krishna Janmashtami is the popular festival dedicated to Lord Krishna.
There are some differences in celebrating Smarta Janmashtami and Vaishnava Janmashtami. But, this year, for all sects of Hindus, Sri Krishna Janmashtami is on 5th September.
This festival is related to Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is also called as Dahi Handi and Krishna Janmashtami. It is an annual commemoration of the birth of the deity of Hindu religion named Lord Krishna.
Regionally, this festival is also known as Sree Jayanti, Srikrishna Jayanti, Ashtami Rohini, Gokulashtami, Saatam Aatham and Krishnashtami. Among the Hindus, it is popularly known as Janmashtami.
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated according to the Hindu calendar, in the month of Shraavana (August–September), on the eighth day (Ashtami) day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha).
In the regions of Vrindavan and Mathura plus Manipur, dramatic and colorful enactments of the life of Lord Krishna known as Rasa lila are a special feature that spiritually entertains the Hindus.
On the other hand, the Dahi Handi celebrates Lord’s mischievous and playful side. On this day, teams of young men with joy and thrill form human high towers in order to reach a high-hanging pot of butter and then break it with a stick or hand. On Gokulashtami in Tamil Nadu, it is a major event known as uriadi participated by youth in large number.
According to the astrological calculations and scriptural details, the date of Krishna’s is 19 July 3228 BCE and departed on 3102 BCE. The Lord was the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva. He belonged to the clan known as Vrishni of Yadavas from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh.
In different parts of India, Janmashtami is celebrated by the Hindus by strict fasting and devotionally staying up awake until midnight because that was believed to be the time when Lord Krishna was born on earth.
On this day, in the home and temples, the images of Lord Krishna’s infancy are placed with dedication and devotion in the cradles and swings. Hindus visit temples that are dedicated to Lord Krishna and participate on all the religious activities on this festive day.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami Puja Muhurat, Auspicious Timings
Sri Krishna Janmashtami at Udupi Sri Krishna Temple
Janmashtami in Juhu ISKCON Temple, Mumbai
Sri Jayanti in Srirangam Ranganatha Swamy Temple
Sri Krishna Janmashtami at Hyderabad ISKCON Temple
Krishna Janmashtami at Bangalore ISKCON Temple
Check this video for detailed Janmashtami Puja Procedure with Mantras and fully explained Puja steps..