Discover when Shri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated in Mathura-Vrindavan in 2024. Will it be on 26 or 27 August? Find out the dates, traditions, and grand celebrations, including the special Mangala Aarti at Banke Bihari Temple. Unveiling the Dates and Preparations for Krishna’s 5251st Birthday
Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2024
Shri Krishna Janmashtami is not just another festival in India; it’s an emotion, a celebration of divinity, devotion, and love. Every year, millions of devotees across the globe eagerly anticipate this special day, marking the birth of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. While Janmashtami is celebrated with fervor across India, the celebration in Mathura and Vrindavan—the birthplace and playground of Krishna—is unmatched. This year, the excitement is even higher as the festival will be celebrated on two consecutive days, allowing devotees to bask in the divine aura for longer. So, the big question arises: Will Shri Krishna Janmashtami be celebrated on 26 or 27 August in Mathura-Vrindavan? Let’s dive into the details.
The Significance of Janmashtami in Mathura-Vrindavan
Janmashtami in Mathura and Vrindavan is an unparalleled experience. Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and Vrindavan, where he spent his childhood, are two of the most sacred places associated with his life. The celebrations here are not just about rituals; they are a grand spectacle of devotion, music, dance, and cultural performances that bring alive the stories of Krishna.
In Mathura, the festivities start weeks before the actual day, with temples being adorned with flowers, lights, and decorations that captivate the soul. The entire region of Braj, encompassing Mathura and Vrindavan, is transformed into a spiritual wonderland. Streets are crowded with devotees, kirtans (devotional songs) fill the air, and the atmosphere is charged with an energy that is both vibrant and serene.
Preparations Begin in Full Swing
Mathura: The Birthplace of Lord Krishna
As the birthplace of Lord Krishna, Mathura holds a special place in the hearts of devotees. The Janmashtami celebrations here are a grand affair, with the main event taking place at the Shri Krishna Janmasthan Temple, built over the exact spot where Lord Krishna is believed to have been born. This temple becomes the epicenter of the festivities, with thousands of devotees gathering to witness the rituals, listen to discourses, and participate in the grand celebration.
The preparations in Mathura begin weeks in advance. Temples are cleaned and decorated, special idols of Krishna are bathed and adorned with new clothes and jewelry, and the entire city is lit up with colorful lights. The streets are bustling with vendors selling sweets, flowers, and devotional items. The air is filled with the sweet scent of incense and the sound of devotional music.
Vrindavan: The Playground of Krishna
While Mathura is where Krishna was born, Vrindavan is where he spent his childhood. It’s in the narrow lanes and lush forests of Vrindavan that Krishna played with his friends, performed miracles, and enchanted everyone with his divine love. The celebrations in Vrindavan are equally grand, with the Banke Bihari Temple being the focal point.
The Banke Bihari Temple is one of the most revered temples in Vrindavan, and the Janmashtami celebrations here are a sight to behold. The temple is decorated with flowers and lights, and special arrangements are made for the thousands of devotees who throng to the temple to catch a glimpse of their beloved deity.
The Two-Day Celebration: 26 or 27 August?
Janmashtami in Mathura: 26 August
According to the Hindu calendar, Janmashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the moon) in the month of Bhadrapada. This year, in Mathura, Janmashtami will be celebrated on the midnight of 26 August. The celebrations will begin early in the day with special prayers, and by midnight, when Lord Krishna is believed to have been born, the temple bells will ring, signaling the birth of the divine.
Devotees will observe a fast throughout the day, breaking it at midnight after the symbolic birth of Krishna by offering panjiri—a special dish made of coriander and ghee. The Janmashtami celebrations in Mathura are marked by Rasleela performances, a traditional folk theatre that depicts the life and love of Krishna.
Janmashtami in Vrindavan: 27 August
In Vrindavan, however, the celebrations will extend to the night of 27 August. The reason for this difference lies in the tradition followed by the Banke Bihari Temple, where the festival is celebrated according to the Udayat (sunrise) Tithi. Since the sunrise on Ashtami Tithi falls on 27 August this year, the temple authorities have decided to celebrate Janmashtami on this day.
The highlight of the celebration at the Banke Bihari Temple will be the Mangala Aarti at 2 AM, a special ritual performed only once a year on this auspicious occasion. The temple will be filled with the sound of conch shells and bells as the deity is bathed, dressed, and adorned for the grand celebration. Devotees who are lucky enough to attend this aarti consider it
