Krishna Janmashtami 2023: Unveiling the Spiritual Significance, Date and Details

Krishna Janmashtami 2023 is on the horizon, and Hindus across the nation are gearing up for a grand celebration of this auspicious occasion. This festival commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna , a revered avatar of Lord Vishnu , one of the three principal deities in Hinduism. Devotees from all walks of life come together to partake in the festivities, making it a significant event in the Hindu calendar.

Lord Krishna 's birth is believed to have occurred on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha during the month of Shraavana in the Bhadrapad, which corresponds to August or September in the Gregorian calendar. This joyous occasion is known by various names, including Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti , and Sree Jayanthi.

In 2023, we mark the 5250th birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Krishna Janmashtami falls on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, followed by the traditional dahi handi celebration on Thursday, September 7, 2023, as per the calculations provided by drikpanchang.com.

The significant moments and timings associated with Krishna Janmashtami in 2023 include:

Midnight Moment: 12:20 AM, September 7th
Chandrodaya Moment: 10:55 PM on Krishna Dashami
Ashtami Tithi Begins: 03:37 PM on September 6, 2023
Ashtami Tithi Ends: 04:14 PM on September 7, 2023
Rohini Nakshatra Begins: 09:20 AM on September 6, 2023
Rohini Nakshatra Ends: 10:25 AM on September 7, 2023

It is important to note that followers of Vaishnavism hold Ashtami Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra in high regard when celebrating Janmashtami. According to Vaishnava traditions, Janmashtami always falls on either Ashtami or Navami Tithi according to the Hindu calendar, never on Saptami Tithi.

The fervor with which Janmashtami is celebrated each year is truly remarkable. The festivities reach their pinnacle in Mathura , the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and Vrindavan , where he spent his formative years. Devotees gather to enact vibrant dance dramas depicting Krishna's life, sing devotional songs and hymns, and many observe fasting throughout the day. One of the most captivating rituals is the formation of human pyramids, known as dahi handi.

The roots of this celebration lie in Hindu mythology. Legends tell us that Lord Krishna's uncle, King Kansa, sought to eliminate him upon learning of a prophecy that Krishna would be his downfall. Consequently, Krishna's father, Vasudeva , spirited him away to Gokul, across the Yamuna River, where he was raised by his foster parents, Nanda and Yashoda. Janmashtami, therefore, symbolizes not only the birth of Krishna but also his eventual victory over King Kansa.