Janmashtami or Krishna asthami marks the yearly birth
festivity of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna. The festival is celebrated with great
devotion and enthusiasm in India in the month of July or August. As stated by
the Hindu calendar this religious festival is celebrated on the eight night of
the dark fortnight in the month of Shravana.
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| Krishna Janmashtami |
One of the most widely admired and most popular of all Hindu
Gods. Shri Krishna is worshipped as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and also
worshipped as a supreme god.
According to legends Sri Krishna was born around 5,200 years
ago in Mathura and the sole objective of his birth was to free the Earth from
the evilness of demons. He was born in
the custody of his uncle Kansa. His father, Vasudev, thought immediately of his
friend Nand and decided to give his child to him to save Krishna from Kansa. He
grew up in Gokul and finally killed his uncle King Kansa.
The devotees observe fasting and stay up till midnight, when
the Lord is said to be born. Wonderful pictures of Lord Krishna are installed
on the walls of homes. The devotees gather in homes and temples in order to
recite devotional melodies, perform dance and read the verses from the Holy
Bhagvad Gita.
In North India, Shri Krishna Janmashtami is observed eight
days after the full moon day in Hindi month Bhadrapada (August – September). In
South India, the festival is observed on the eighth day after full moon in the
month of Shravan (August – September).
Sri Krishna Jayanti 2016 in Different Parts of India
- Sri Krishna Jayanti - on August 24 day and midnight in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orissa and eastern parts of India.
- Krishna Janmashtami Mahotsav - August 25 midnight from 11:30 PM onwards in North India and Gujarat Dwarakadish Temple.
- Janmashtami Vrat is on August 24 in North India
- Ashtami Rohini - August 24 in Kerala
- Dahi Handi and Gopalakala in Maharashtra - August 25
- Vittal Pindi at Udupi Sri Krishna Temple - August 24
- Kalo in Goa - August 25
- In Tamil Nadu Sri Krishna Jayanti is on August 24, 2016
Due to the various regional calendars and the various
calculations in the time of the birth of Krishna the festival is not celebrated
on the same day in all parts of India.
