Janmashtami

Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is a Hindu festival that marks the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of the god Vishnu. It is celebrated by Hindus around the world, with notable observances in India and Nepal and in Jain and Vaishnava communities. The festival highlights Krishna’s childhood and his role as a divine guide.

The date of Janmashtami is determined by the Hindu lunar calendar. It falls on the Ashtami, the eighth day of Krishna Paksha in the Hindu month, typically in late summer. Depending on local calendars, the celebration is often observed in Shravana or Bhadrapada. Festivities usually begin at dusk and continue through midnight, believed to be the time of Krishna’s birth.

Rituals include fasting, night-long vigils, and devotional singing and prayers. Devotees place images or idols of Krishna in cradles and offer special foods, milk, and sweets. Readings from scriptures such as the Bhagavata Purana recount Krishna’s infancy and exploits. In many households, families break the fast after a moonrise.

Regional variations are common. In northern and western India, dramatic reenactments of Krishna’s childhood, known as Krishna Leela, are popular. In Maharashtra, the Dahi Handi festival—where teams form human pyramids to break a pot of curd—is a prominent feature. Temples host processions, bhajans, and festive meals as part of communal devotion.

Janmashtami emphasizes bhakti toward Krishna and is a major cultural and religious observance, blending worship, storytelling, music, and community celebration.