Customs and Traditions of Sri Krishna Janmaashtami (Sri Krishna Jayanthi)

Om! Gam! Ganapathaye! Namaha!
Om! Sri Raghavendraya Namaha!
Om! Namo! Bhagavathe! Vaasudevaya!
Om! Ham! Hanumathe! Sri Rama Doothaya Namaha!

Sri Krishna Jayanthi

(Customs & Traditions)

It is our Hindu sampradaya to celebrate birth days of Avathara Moorthis as a festival. Though Janmaashtami is celebrated across the country, divergent traditions are followed in its celebration. Generally birthdays are celebrated based on lunar thithi. But the birth day of Lord Sri Krishna is associated not only with the lunar thithi but also with his birth star Rohini Nakshathra.

Due to calendar difference the festival of Janmastami is observed during Sravana Masam in South India by which time it will be Bhadrapada Masam in North India around which time Sun will be transiting in Leo sign.

In certain regions and philosophies occurrence of Rohini star spreading beyond mid night is given significance while in some others, Ashtami thithi spreading beyond midnight is given prominence for observance of the festival. If there is coincidence of both Ashtami thithi and Rohini star it is referred to as Jayanthi Yoga which is considered as highly sacred.

In certain cultures people observe fasting on the day of Janmaashtami and the fasting will continue till the Rohini Star/Ashtami thithi lasts. Some times it gets extended to the next day when they break the fast after taking bath and performing pooja again after sunrise. Fasting on the day of Sri Krishna Janmaashtami is considered as highly meritorious that gives the phala equivalent to or more than that of fasting on several Ekaadasi days.  Fasting and food restrictions are observed on the lines of Ekaadasi.

Special pooja and prayer/bhajans are conducted and arghya is given to Lord Sri Krishna on the day of Janmastami at Moonrise time coinciding with Ashtami thithi and/or Rohini star. 

Sri Krishna Janmaashtami - Arghya Manthra 

Foot prints of a child's size are drawn with special rangoli starting from the house entrance up to the Pooja room, assuming that Lord Sri Krishna would walk into their houses on this day.

Apart from various sweet dishes, fruits, people also offer Butter and Thandulam (Avalakki, Poha rice) as Naivedya to Lord Sri Krishna.

Apart from worshipping Lord Sri Krishna, people also worship on this day Devaki Devi (Mother), and Vasudeva (father) along with Yashoda, Nanda and Balarama.

At some places people wake up whole night singing and dancing in glory of Lord Sri Krishna.

Special celebrations are held at all temples of Lord Sri Krishna especially in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and all the states of Southern India.

In Maharashtra especially and in some other parts of the country a special celebration known as Dahi Handi is held with lot of zeal and enthusiasm. On this occasion people tie a decorated clay pot filled with butter milk at a reasonable height. Enthusiasts known as Govinda Pathaks form a human pyramid and the person standing on the top of the human pyramid breaks the pot.

At some other places it is known as Uttlotsavam where people try to catch the pot by jumping while people from surrounding spill water on them. Attractive gifts and prizes are also offered for breaking the pot. These pots will be hung at the tip of a specially erected wooden (bamboo) poles.

At the temple town of Udupi, the festival will be held on a grand scale at the ancient and legendary Sri Krishna temple where the Paryaya Swamiji of Sri Krishna Mutt will conduct special poojas and rituals to Lord Sri Krishna which will last till late midnight. On the next day cultural programs will be conducted like Vittla Pindi, Mosaru Kudike etc. Thousands of devotees participate in the Krishna Janmaashtami celebrations at Udupi. 

At Tirumala Sri Venkateswara Swamy temple special celebrations are held on the occasion of Janmaashtami festival.

Sri Krishnaarpanamasthu

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Sri Krishna Janmaashtami