Krishna Janmashtami 2020: Every year Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated as Krishna Janmashtami in India. This year, devotees shall observe the 5247th birth anniversary of Lord Krishna.In Hindu mythology the 8th carnation of Vishnu is Sri Krishna the one who protects the Earth.
He was born on the Ashtami Tithi (eighth day), Krishna Paksha (waning phase of the Moon) in the month of Bhadrapada when Rohini Nakshatra prevailed.
Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudev in a prison in Mathura. Vasudev to save his child from getting killed by his maternal uncle, taken him across the river to Vrindavan, where he was brought up by Yasoda and Nanda, a cowherd.
As a child he was mischievous and his childhood was full of pranks and fun. On this day Hindus keep fast and they make favorite sweets for Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna’s temple all over India is decorated on this day.
Date Of Janmashtami 2020
In 2020, Krishna Janmashtami will be observed on August 11 and August 12, as per the Smarta and the Vaishnava sampradaya respectively.
Thithi for Janmashtami 2020
The Ashtami Tithi begins at 9:06 AM on August 11 and ends at 11:16 AM on August 12, 2020.
Nishita Kaal Puja Shubh Muhurat
Since Shri Krishna was born at midnight, the puja is performed during Nishita Kaal. The timings for this year puja is between 12:21 AM to 1:06 AM on August 12 as per the Smarta tradition. And between 12:21 AM to 1:06 AM on August 13.
| Sampradaya | Start time | End time |
| Smarrta (Nishita Kaal puja) on August 12 | 12:21 AM | 1:06 AM |
| Vaishnava (Nishita Kaal puja) on August 13 | 12:21 AM | 1:06 AM |
Devotees keep a fast on the day of Janmashtami to pay obeisance to their beloved Shri Krishna. They break it only offering their prayers to him at the time designated, i.e. during Nishita Kaal. The ritual of breaking the fast is called Parana. Some devotees break the fast only after Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami Tithi or one of the two ends.
Janmashtami 2020 Parana timings
One can break the fast after 11:16 AM on August 12.
If one cannot wait so long, then they can do the Parana after 6:19 AM, August 12.
And here’s another Parana timing for those who may not be able to bear long periods of fasting. They can do the Parana after 1:06 AM on August 12.
Those who follow the Vaishnava Sampradaya can do their Parana after 6:19 AM on August 13.
| Parana | Time |
| Those who cannot bear long hours of fasting can break it after | 1.06 AM on August 12 |
| Those who can wait for a few hours, can break their fast after | 6.19 AM on August 12 |
| Those who can for long hours can do their Parana after | 11:16 AM on August 12. |
| Those following the Vaishnava Sampradaya can do Parana after | 6:19 AM on August 13 |
Janmashtami Rohini Nakshatra Timings
The time when Rohini Nakshatra prevails is also of great significance. This year it starts at 3:27 AM on August 13 and ends at 5:22 AM on August 14.
