Krishna Janmaashtami, also known as "Krishnaashtami", "Gokulaashtami", "Srikrishna Jayanti", "Sree Jayanthi" or sometimes merely as "Janmaashtami", is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. List of Festivals in India // Hindu Makar Sankranti, Kite Flying Day, Winter festival Baisakhi Mahashivratri Holi Gudi Padwa Ganesh festival Ram Navami Guru Purnima Gokul Ashtami Karthikai deepam Pongal Raksha Bandhan, Rakhi, Sacred Thread tied by sister on Brothers hand Onam Ganesh Chaturthi Durga Puja Dussehra or Daserra Diwali... Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari, IAST ) is according to common Hindu tradition the eighth avatar of Vishnu. ... The 10 avatars of Lord Vishnu In Hinduism, an avatar or avatara or avataram(Sanskrit अवतार), is the incarnation (bodily manifestation) of an Immortal Being, or of the Ultimate Supreme Being. ... For other uses of the name Vishnu, see Vishnu (disambiguation). ...

Date

Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half (Krishna Paksha) of the month of Bhadrapadha in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatram is ascendent. The Hindu calendar being lunar, these two events [the day being the eighth of the waning moon (Krishna-paksha Ashtami) and the Rohini Nakshatram being ascendent] may overlap for only a few hours. In such an event, the festival may be celebrated on different (but successive) days by different people, depending on their local or family traditions. The sixth month of Hindu calendar is known as Bhadrapadha or Bhadon. ... The Hindu calendar used in Vedic times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. ... In Hindu mythology, Rohini is a daughter of Prajapati Daksha and his consort, Prasuti. ... The Hindu calendar used in Vedic times has undergone many changes in the process of regionalization, and today there are several regional Indian calendars, as well as an Indian national calendar. ...

The festival falls sometime in the months of August/September of the Gregorian calendar. In 2005, Krishnaashtami was celebrated on August 26 or August 27. Inscription on the tomb of Pope Gregory XIII celebrating the introduction of the Gregorian Calendar The Gregorian calendar is the calendar that is used nearly everywhere in the world. ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... August 26 is the 238th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (239th in leap years). ... Births 1407 - Ashikaga Yoshikazu, Japanese shogun (d. ...

Rituals

The Dahi Handi

Govinda celebrations.

The pious begin the festival by fasting on the previous day (Saptami). This is followed by a night-long vigil commemorating the birth of Krishna at night, and his immediate removal by his father to a foster-home for safe-keeping. At midnight, the idol of the infant Krishna is bathed, placed in a cradle and worshipped. In the early morning, ladies draw patterns of little children's feet outside the house with rice-flour paste, walking towards the house. This symbolizes the entry of the infant Krishna into his foster-home. This custom is popular in some communities of south India. After ablutions, morning prayers and worship, the devout break their fast with Prasadam, food that has first been offered to the lord. During the fore-noon hours, the "Dahi-Handi" (see below) custom is celebrated in some parts of the deccan. This is followed by sumptuous mid-day feasts, where extended families customarily get together. Sweets made of milk and other dairy products, especially butter, are traditionally prepared on this occasion. Image File history File links The Dahi Handi tied during the festival of w:Gokulashtami. ... Image File history File links The Dahi Handi tied during the festival of w:Gokulashtami. ... Image File history File links The breaking of the Dahi Handi, during the festival of w:Gokulashtami in Hinduism. ... Image File history File links The breaking of the Dahi Handi, during the festival of w:Gokulashtami in Hinduism. ... Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari, IAST ) is according to common Hindu tradition the eighth avatar of Vishnu. ... A map of South India, its rivers, regions and water bodies. ... The Deccan Plateau is a vast plateau in India, encompassing most of Central and Southern India. ... A glass of cow milk Milk most often means the nutrient liquid produced by the mammary glands of female mammals. ... Dairy products are generally defined as foodstuffs produced from milk. ... Butter is commonly sold in sticks (pictured) or small blocks, and often served using a butterknife. ...

The festival is celebrated with especial fervour in north India. The temples at Vrindavan and Mathura witness a colourful, even boisterous celebration on this occasion, and festivities at these places may extend for several days. Devotional songs and dances mark the celebration. The Raslila is performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and commemorate his love for Radha. A map showing North India North India is a geographic and linguistic-cultural region of India. ... Vrindavan, in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh is a town on the site of the original forest of Vrindavana. ... Mathura (मथुरा) is a city in India, located approximately 50 km north of Agra, and south of Delhi. ... The raasleela is the cosmic dance performed by Krishna and the Gopikas. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

While the Raslila recreates the youthful Krishna's dalliance with the milkmaids of his native land, the "Dahi-Handi" tradition of Maharashtra re-enacts his childhood pranks, wherein Krishna and his young cronies helped themselves to butter and other goodies in the houses of their neighbours. Clay pots called "Dahi-Handi", filled with curd and butter, are suspended high above the ground. To a constant chorus of "Govinda, Govinda" from all those present, teams of young men form human pyramids to reach the pot and break it, to the merriment of the youths and of the assembly. The raasleela is the cosmic dance performed by Krishna and the Gopikas. ... Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari, IAST ) is according to common Hindu tradition the eighth avatar of Vishnu. ... Maharashtra (Devanagari: महाराष्ट्र, literally: Great Nation) is Indias third largest state in terms of area and second largest in terms of population after Uttar Pradesh. ... Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari, IAST ) is according to common Hindu tradition the eighth avatar of Vishnu. ... Curd is a dairy product obtained by curdling (coagulating) milk with rennet or an edible acidic substance such as lemon juice or vinegar and then draining off the liquid portion (called whey). ... Krsnas name is Govinda. ... Geometric shape created by connecting a polygonal base to an apex For other versions including architectural Pyramids, see Pyramid (disambiguation). ...

The festival is thus celebrated with great joy and communal togetherness by one and all.

External links

• Shri Krishna Janmashtami— Dedicated and comprehensive site with details on celebrations, customs and more.

Hinduism | Hindu festivals | Hindu calendar
Pongal | Holi | Ugadi | Rama Navami | Krishna Janmaashtami | Onam | Ganesh Chaturthi | Vaisakhi | Navratri | Durga Puja
Vijayadashami | Dasara | Diwali | Thaipusam | Maha Shivaratri | Ekadasi | Vaikunta Ekadasi | Mahalakshmi vrata | Raksha Bandhan | Bhai-Dooj/Bhau-Beej