Krishna Janmashtami 2021 puja time, date procedure at home

Sri Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu descended on this earth on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha (dark phase of the lunar month) in the month of Shravan (July – August). This year, Krishnashtami falls on Tuesday, August 30, 2021. Some people celebrate it on the next day also. Krishnashtami is also known and celebrated as Krishna Jayanti and Gokulashtami. A detailed expression calls this day Sri Krishna Janmashtami.

Krishnashtami is very keenly observed in Hindu households. Krishnavatar or the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu is a very popular deity who is worshipped with great love, adoration, and respect. Krishnashtami is a happy and holy event that Hindu households celebrate with ardent devotion. In each household, people celebrate Krishnashtami in different ways -- could be done in a simple fashion and in an elaborate way. Krishnashtami is celebrated in temples too.

Krishna Janmashtami 2021 puja timing

In 2020, Krishnashtami falls on Tuesday, August 30, 2021. The Ashtami tithi begins at 11:25 pm on August 29, Sunday, and ends at 1:59 am on, August 31. Puja can be performed during this period. The Nishita (midnight) puja can be performed on August 30, from 11:59 pm to 12:44 am (31 August). People will organize Dahi Handi on Wednesday, August 30, 2021.

Krishna Janmashtami 2021 puja procedure

Before the day of Krishna Janmashtami, the household is cleaned and decorated. On the day of Krishnashtami, the devotees wake up early in the morning and take a holy bath. Then the puja altar is set up. Preferably, the puja altar can be set up in the puja room itself. If you are planning for an elaborate puja, you can organize the puja altar in the main hall also.

Sri Krishna’s idol is the central attraction of the Krishnashtami puja. Some people use the regular idol or picture they have in their puja room. Some people buy a new image of Krishna every year for the puja. Depending on which material the Krishna idol is made of, you can plan for a holy bath for the idol; or can simply decorate the idol with flowers, clothes, and ornaments.

In many Hindu households, people draw the images of little footsteps leading from the main door to the puja room. This practice symbolically represents Sri Krishna’s little feet bringing him into the household to bless the puja and the residents of the house. Krishna’s visit to every home during the puja is said to fill the home with prosperity and happiness.

Light the lamp and offer incense to the Lord. Offer Chandan and kumkum. Offer special homemade prasad. Curd/yoghurt, ghee, butter, and other milk products and milk-based sweets are especially suitable to offer to Lord Krishna. Do not forget berries and other fruits. Sing the songs of Krishna and chant some shlokas and mantras related to Krishna. Wave camphor and conclude the puja. Share the prasad with the gathering and family as a mark of Krishna’s blessings.