Is Krishna Janmashtami on August 26 or 27? Know all about the correct date

Janmashtami 2024: Krishna Janmashtami is coming. The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna is celebrated on this day. Know when Krishna Janmashtami will be on 26 or 27 August 2024 and its history and significance.

The bright Hindu festival of Janmashtami is just around the corner. It is also known as Krishna Janmashtami, Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami, or Srijayanti. This day marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

According to Vedic chronology, this year will mark the 5251st birthday of Lord Krishna. The biggest Janmashtami celebrations are held in Mathura, Vrindavan, and Dwarka, where Laddu Gopala is believed to have been born and spent his childhood.

Is Krishna Janmashtami on 26 or 27 August 2024?

Every year, Janmashtami falls on the Ashtami date of Krishna Paksha in the Shravan month of Bhadrapada month. This year, there is some confusion over the exact date of the festival. According to the Drik Panchang, Krishna Janmashtami is on August 26, Monday. After Janmashtami, the Dahi Handi festival will be celebrated the next day i.e. August 27, Tuesday.

Krishna Janmashtami 2024 History:

Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, was the son of Devaki and Vasudeva and was born to destroy Kansa, the demon king of Mathura and brother of Devaki. As we know, Kansa was told in a prophecy that the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva would lead to his downfall.

After that, Kansa captured and imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva. Moreover, he killed six of their children. However, at the time of the birth of their seventh child, the fetus mysteriously got transferred from Devaki’s womb to that of Princess Rohini.

According to mythology, when their eighth son Krishna was born, the entire palace fell into a deep sleep. At the same time, the prison doors magically opened, allowing Vasudeva to escape with the baby. Vasudeva took Krishna to Nanda Baba and Yashoda’s home in Vrindavan and replaced his baby with Krishna and returned with a baby girl in his arms.

The next day Kansa tried to kill the baby girl but she transformed into Durga and warned Kansa about his impending doom. Therefore, Krishna grew up in Vrindavan and later killed his mother Uncle Kansa. The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated as Janmashtami across India.