Krishna Janmashtami 2024: A global celebration of devotion, culture, and unity in the 21st century

Bhagwan Sri Krishna’s birthday, i.e. ‘Krishna Janmashtami’, is celebrated with great reverence and enthusiasm throughout India in August according to the calendar. It is also known as ‘Janmashtami’, ‘Krishnashtami’ or ‘Gokulashtami’. Hindus celebrate the birth of Bhagwan Sri Krishna as the eighth incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, it is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada. This day is celebrated with great pomp, especially in the Indian subcontinent and by Indian communities worldwide. It is one of the holiest Hindu festivals, especially for Hindus following the Vaishnav tradition. According to the life story of Krishna described in the Bhagavata Purana, this festival is celebrated to commemorate Krishna’s birth at midnight through fasting, night vigil dance-drama performances and midnight devotional singing. Bhagwan Krishna was born in the Dwapar era to King Kansa of Mathura. His mother’s name was Devaki, and his father’s was Vasudev. Kansa had heard a prophecy about Devaki’s eighth son that he would kill him, so he imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva. Bhagwan Krishna was born in the prison and Vasudeva left him at Nanda Baba and Yashoda’s house in Gokul near Govardhan mountain to save him. Many stories of Bhagwan Krishna’s childhood pastimes and miracles are famous, such as stealing butter, killing demons, etc. यदा यदा हि धर्मस्य ग्लानिर्भवति भारत । अभ्युत्थानमधर्मस्य तदात्मानं सृजाम्यहम्‌ ॥ (Whenever there is loss of righteousness and increase of iniquity, then I appear (descend). (Srimad Bhagavad Gita 4.7) परित्राणाय साधूनां विनाशाय च दुष्कृताम्‌ । धर्मसंस्थापनार्थाय सम्भवामि युगे युगे ॥ To save the saintly, to destroy the sinful for and to establish Dharma, I appear in every age (Srimad Bhagavad Gita 4.8) The centre of Janmashtami celebrations is especially Mathura and Vrindavan, but it has become a global festival. It is an essential festival of major Vaishnavites and non-sectarian communities found in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, all other states of India. Krishna Janmashtami festival comes after Nandotsav. It commemorates the day when Nanda Baba distributed gifts to people to celebrate Bhagwan Krishna’s birth. How Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated: Fasting and Puja: Devotees observe fast on this day and perform special Puja at night. The Puja timing is particularly midnight, when Bhagwan Krishna was born. Murti decoration: Bhagwan Krishna murtis in homes and temples are decorated with beautiful clothes and jewellery. The murti are bathed with milk, curd, honey, and ghee called Panchamrit. Bhajan and Kirtan: Special bhajans, kirtans, and Bhagwat Katha are organised on this day. Devotees sing praises of Bhagwan Krishna’s leelas and his divine qualities. Dahi Handi: Dahi Handi is organised mainly in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and other regions. In this, a matki (pot) is filled with curd, honey, and other substances and hung at a high place. Young men form a human pyramid and break the matki. It depicts Bhagwan Krishna’s childhood leelas. Raasleela and tableaus: Special Raasleela (dances) and tableaus are organised at night to depict important events in Bhagwan Krishna’s life. Sweets and Prasad: Special sweets such as Petha, Mohanbhog, and Panchamrit are prepared on this day. These are offered to the Bhagwan as Prasad and distributed among the devotees. Krishna Janmashtami in different parts of India Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. Each region celebrates this festival with great joy and enthusiasm according to its local traditions and cultural characteristics. On the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, major temples across India are specially decorated. Grand decorations, special worship and cultural programs are organised in these temples. Uttar Pradesh Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great pomp in Mathura, the birthplace of Bhagwan Krishna. Major temples like Shri Krishna Janmashtami and Govardhan come alive with special decorations and worship. Devotees perform special worship and bhajan kirtan in temples at night. Krishna Janmashtami is also celebrated with great pomp in Vrindavan. ‘Rasleela’ is organised here, where Bhagwan Krishna’s levels are performed. Dahi Handi is also organised with great enthusiasm in Gokul, Uttar Pradesh. People here worship the child form of Bhagwan Krishna and make special sweets. On the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, grand decorations are held at Shri Banke Bihari Mandir, and special religious rituals and cultural programs are organised. Delhi ISKCON temple in Delhi and other major Krishna Mandie like Lakshmi Narayan Mandir are specially decorated for Krishna Janmashtami. The Mandir is decorated with colourful lights, flowers, and tableaux. Maharashtra Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated as the festival of Dahi Handi in Maharashtra. In this, a pot filled with curd, honey and other substances is hung at a high place. The youth break this pot by forming a human pyramid. Dahi Handi competitions are held in most places in Maharashtra, which remains the centre of attraction. It depicts the childhood pastimes of Bhagwan Krishna. Apart from this, the Shri Krishna Mandir in Pune and other major temples are decorated on Krishna Janmashtami’s occasion. Bhajans and kirtans are performed at night, and special cultural programs are organised. Gujarat The Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat is a special attraction on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. On the day of Krishna Janmashtami, the temple and its entire premises are lit up with lights. On this day, people specially make sweets and dishes, and children are decorated as Bhagwan Krishna. Raasleela is also organised here with great pomp, and the events of Bhagwan Krishna’s life are performed. Rajasthan Special puja and Raasleela are organised on the night of Krishna Janmashtami in Udaipur, Rajasthan. People here dress up in traditional Rajasthani attire and participate in the puja. Krishna Janmashtami is also celebrated with special enthusiasm in Jaipur. The deco and ration of temples, bhajans, kirtans, and Raasleela are also organised. Odisha Puri in Odisha is the location of the Jagannath temple. This temple is considered to be the most popular religious place in Odisha. The festival of Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal in Puri. On this day, the streets of Puri are beautifully decorated, [...]

Bhagwan Sri Krishna’s birthday, i.e. is celebrated with great reverence and enthusiasm throughout India in August according to the calendar.

It is also known as or . Hindus celebrate the birth of Bhagwan Sri Krishna as the eighth incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, it is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada.

This day is celebrated with great pomp, especially in the Indian subcontinent and by Indian communities worldwide. It is one of the holiest Hindu festivals, especially for Hindus following the Vaishnav tradition. According to the life story of Krishna described in the Bhagavata Purana, this festival is celebrated to commemorate Krishna’s birth at midnight through fasting, night vigil dance-drama performances and midnight devotional singing.

Bhagwan Krishna was born in the Dwapar era to King Kansa of Mathura. His mother’s name was Devaki, and his father’s was Vasudev. Kansa had heard a prophecy about Devaki’s eighth son that he would kill him, so he imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva.

Bhagwan Krishna was born in the prison and Vasudeva left him at Nanda Baba and Yashoda’s house in Gokul near Govardhan mountain to save him. Many stories of Bhagwan Krishna’s childhood pastimes and miracles are famous, such as stealing butter, killing demons, etc. The centre of Janmashtami celebrations is especially Mathura and Vrindavan, but it has become a global festival.

It is an essential festival of major Vais.