Krishna Janmashtami 2020: Devotees in India are gearing up for the biggest festival commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna and celebrated as Gokulashtami, Shrikrishna Jayanti or just Janmashtami. The dates of Krishna Janmashtami change every year according to Hindu Panchang. This year, the auspicious occasion of Krishna Janmashtami is being observed in two different days – 11 and 12 August. Janmashtami  will celebrated on August 11 in Jagannath Puri, Banaras and Ujjain while in Mathura and Dwarika it will be celebrated on August 12.

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This year it will be 5247th Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna. Here is the significance of the day.

It is one of the most colourful festivals dedicated to Lord Krishna and celebrated with much splendour and fervor in India and abroad. It is believed that on this day, Lord Vishnu, deemed as the preserver or sustainer of life, incarnated as Lord Krishna to fight evils. Lord Krishna is considered as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Followers observe fasts, sing devotional songs, organise Dahi Handi celebrations and ceremonies in temples where Lord Krishna is remembered and his childhood moments are cherished.

What are the timings?

It is believed in Hinduism that Ashtami of Krishna's side of Bhadrapada was born by Lord Krishna. That is why Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated every year on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapad. This time, according to the almanac, the date of Ashtami is starting on August 11 from 09:60 AM. The date of Ashtami ends on August 12 at 11.16 AM.

This year Janmashtami festival will be celebrated on August 11-12.  However, astrologers say it is better to celebrate on August 12.  The auspicious time to worship on August 12 is 12:05 pm till 12:47 pm. The timings of puja will last for 43 minutes.

The event will celebrated on August 11 in Jagannath Puri, Banaras and Ujjain as the Ashtami tithi begins August 11. Janmashtami will be celebrated on August 12 in Mathura and Dwaraka. Devotees are going to observe fast on Tuesday and worship Lord Krishna in the midnight of August 12.

What is the legend?

Lord Krishna was born on the Ashtami Tithi (eighth) day in the month of Bhadrapada during Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the Moon) to Devaki and Vasudev in Mathura. Lord Krishna was born to a royal couple who were in captive by Kansa (Devaki's cousin). The tyrant had captivated the couple after knowing his eighth son will be the cause of his death. greedy for powder. It was told to him that by a divine prophecy to remain cautious of Devaki and Vasudev's child. Kansa ended up killing all the seven babies of Devaki which only added to the list of his sins. Lord Krishna grew up in Vrindavan in the foster care of Nand and Yashodha and was a naughty child. But their eight son Lord Krishna was rescued by Vasudev and baby Krishna grew up with foster parents.  Mother Yashodha would often have to tie him up to stop his adorable antics. Lord Krishna is also referred to as Maakhan Chor or Navneet Chor due to these events.