Celebrating Janmashtami: rituals and astrological significance

JANMASHTAMI is the birthday of Lord Krishna and is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the world.

- MAHESH BANG

This year it will be celebrated on August 16. Krishna’s birth occurred at midnight on the eighth day (ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Bhadrapada between (August to September) in the Hindu calendar.

Lord Krishna was born in Mathura approximately more than 5000 years ago in the Dwapara Yuga.

Astrologically, it occurs when the moon is in transit in the “Rohini Star” and in the Taurus zodiac sign, the moon is exalted and the strongest here.

According to Hinduism some nights are extremely powerful to tap the cosmic divine energy directly.

Janmashtami is one of the Maharatri’s (extremely powerful nights) and doing Japa and worshipping God (in any form) is more beneficial than on a normal day.

As per the scriptures, the other Maharatris for performing spiritual practices are Shivratri, Holi, Diwali, Hanuman Jayanti, Sharad Purnima and Navrathri’s.

Rituals and Astrological Recommendations. The main custom is to fast on this day and choose any of the fasts below as per your capacity.

However, staunch devotees can observe the fast on both days or for one dayaccording to your belief or according to the temple programme.