Every year, the festival of Janmashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada. Janmashtami holds immense significance in Sanatan Dharma as it marks the birth of Lord Shri Krishna, who is considered the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu. On this auspicious day, households and temples alike make special preparations to celebrate the birth and worship of Lord Krishna.

Janmashtami will be celebrated on both September 6th and September 7th this year, causing some confusion among devotees. This duality in celebration arises because the festival spans two days. Household devotees observe Janmashtami on September 6th, while those following the Vaishnava sect celebrate it on September 7th. According to religious beliefs, Lord Shri Krishna was born at midnight under the Rohini Nakshatra. In Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, and the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, Janmashtami will be celebrated on September 7th.

Janmashtami 2023 Muhurat:

Shri Krishna Puja Time: From 11.57 pm on September 6, 2023, to 12.42 am on September 7, 2023.
Rohini Nakshatra: From 09:20 am on September 6, 2023, to 10:25 am on September 7, 2023.
Janmashtami fast-breaking time: After 06.02 am on September 7, 2023.
Significance of Janmashtami:
Fasting on the day of Shri Krishna Janmashtami is believed to fulfill all desires. By worshiping Lord Krishna with devotion and adherence to rituals, one can receive blessings of happiness and prosperity. Couples desiring children often worship Laddu Gopal on Janmashtami, offering him butter, curd, milk, kheer, sugar candy, and panjiri.

Materials for Janmashtami Puja:
To perform Janmashtami puja, you will need the following materials:

Statue of Lord Krishna (Kanha ji)
Swing or throne
Peacock feathers
Flute
Statue of a cow
Vaijayanti garland
Red cloth
Basil leaves
Jewelry
Thick crown
Cucumber
Roli
Gopi sandalwood
Kumkum
Mica
Turmeric
Akshat
Saptadhan
Mauli
Cotton
Tulsi Garland
Abir
Gulal
Saptamritika
Perfume
Urn
Lamp
Incense
Fruits
Yellow clothes
Coriander leaves
Butter
Sugar candy
Naivedya or sweets
Small cardamom
Cloves
Incense sticks
Camphor
Saffron
Coconut
Copper or silver vessel for anointing
Panchamrit
Flowers
Banana leaves
Kusha and Durva
Panchmeva
Ganga water
Honey
Sugar
Betel nut
Betel leaf
Vermilion
Clothes for Lord Ganesha
Clothes for Ambika
Sandalwood
Flowers
Panchamrit

Janmashtami Puja Rules:
According to scriptures, Lord Shri Krishna was born at midnight on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, under the Rohini Nakshatra. Therefore, it is essential to perform the birth of Kanha at an auspicious time during the night of Janmashtami.

Cut cucumber at night during Janmashtami to invoke Lord Krishna. This is believed to invite Lord Krishna into the house and facilitate the growth of progeny.
Worship of Bal Gopal is incomplete without offering butter and sugar candy. Decorate Lord Krishna before the birth ceremony and dress Him in new clothes. Adorn Him with fragrant flowers.
Those fasting on Janmashtami should eat fruits only once a day. It is advisable to break the fast at sunrise the next day after night worship.

Chant these Special Mantras on Janmashtami:
Shri Krishna Govind Hare Murari, O Nath Narayan Vasudeva: This mantra is simple and effective for seeking Lord Krishna's blessings and protection.
Krim Krishnay Namah: Chanting this mantra can bring wealth and prosperity.
Govallabhay Swaha: This mantra is believed to lead to complete success when chanted with devotion.

Mantras According to Zodiac Signs on Janmashtami:
Aries: Om Kamalnathaya Namah
Taurus: Recite Krishna-Ashtak
Gemini: Om Govindaya Namah
Cancer: Fast and recite Radha Ashtak
Leo: Om Koti-Surya-Samprabhay Namah
Virgo: Remember the Bal-Gopal form and chant Om Devki Nandanay Namah
Libra: Om Leela-Dharaya Namah
Scorpio: Remember the Varaha form and chant Om Varaha Namah
Sagittarius: Chant Om Jagadguruve Namah
Capricorn: Chant Om Pootna-Jeevita Haraya Namah
Aquarius: Chant Om Dayanidhay Namah
Pisces: Chant Om Yashoda–Vatsalay Namah

Choosing an Idol of Lord Krishna:
On Janmashtami, the child form of Lord Krishna is typically worshiped. However, the choice of idol depends on your specific wishes. For example:

To bring happiness to your married life, install the idol of Radha-Krishna.
To seek blessings for having a child, install the idol of Bal Krishna.
For general happiness and prosperity in the house, install an idol of Krishna with a flute on Janmashtami.
How to Dress Lord Krishna:

Keep the idol of Lord Krishna in a container at midnight.
Bathe the idol with milk, curd, honey, and ghee, followed by a water bath.
Adorn Lord Krishna with yellow attire, as He favors this color.
Offer yellow flowers and matching clothing.
Use sandalwood scent during worship, and avoid wearing black clothing during the puja.
Offering Foods to Lord Krishna on Janmashtami:

Butter: Lord Krishna is famously known for stealing and enjoying butter as a child, so offering butter is essential.
Kheer: Lord Krishna loved the kheer made by His mother, Yashoda.
Sugar Candy: Butter and sugar candy are often offered together to enhance the taste.
Panjiri: This prasad is specially distributed on Janmashtami and is made from coriander with added sugar for sweetness.
Black Sesame Sweets: Lord Krishna is fond of sweets made with black sesame seeds.
Celebrating Janmashtami with devotion and adherence to these rituals can bring blessings of happiness and prosperity into your life.

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