Dr Shatavadhani Udupi Ramanatha Acharya on Sri Krishna Janmashtami

August 17, 2022
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Udupi, Aug 17, 2022: Sri Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of Sri Krishna is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety throughout India and abroad. As he was born at midnight, a special pooja is offered at midnight in temples on this day.

While some people celebrate it on August 18 and some on 19, Dr Shatavadhani Udupi Ramanatha Acharya, a renowned scholar, has suggested three easy ways to identify Sri Krishna Jayanthi or Janmashtami.

“Sri Krishna was born on Ashtami – the eighth day- of Krishna Paksha. In a year there are 12 Krishna Paksha. As per tradition, Krishna Jayanthi will have the presence of Rohini Nakshatra and Ashtami. In the entire year this happens only during the Ashtami of Simha Masa,” he says.

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“A tithi during the Sunrise is considered as the tithi of entire day. Ashtami should be during the sunrise. Sometimes it may be till midnight. But the presence of Ashtami at midnight is not necessary. For example, this year Krishna Ashtami (Krishna Jayanthi) is on Aug 19. (The tithi is calculated based on Indian Ephemeris). The Astami tithi ends before midnight and Rohini Nakshatra starts after midnight. But Aug 19 should be considered as Krishna Jayanthi as the tithi is Ashtami during sunrise and it has the tinge of Rohini Nakshatra (after midnight but before sun rise),” he adds.

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According to Dr Acharya, Krishna Jayanthi occurs every year as on Krishna Astami, Rohini Nakshatra will be present either entire day or at the beginning or at the end of the day.