Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami is the Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna. It is actually called as Krishna Jayanthi.

The date falls not only on the eighth day of the waning moon of Bhadrapad but always on Rohini Nakshatra.

Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm in India in the month of July or August. According to the Hindu calendar, this religious festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon.

Shri Krishna is considered as one of the most powerful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura. The sole objective of Shri Krishna’s birth was to free the Earth from the evilness of demons. He played an important role in Mahabharata and propagated the theory of bhakti and good karma which are narrated deeply in the Bhagwat Geeta.

Shri Krishna was born in a prison in the custody of Kansa. Vasudev, His father immediately thought of his friend Nand and decided to hand over his child to him to save Krishna from the clutch of Kansa.

Lord Krishna grew up in Gokul and finally killed his uncle, King Kansa. The actual celebration of Janmashtami takes place during the midnight as Shri Krishna is believed to be born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and violence of his uncle, Kansa.

All over India, this day is celebrated with devotional songs and dances, pujas, arti, blowing of the Conch and rocking the cradle of baby Shri Krishna. The Janmashtami celebration of Mathura and Vrindavan, the places where Shri Krishna had spent his life, are very special.

On this day temples and homes are wonderfully decorated and illuminated. Night long prayers are offered and religious mantras are sung in the temples.