Janmashtami Festival

Janmashtami Festival is an important festival of India. This festival is also known as Ashtami Rohini, Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami and Sri Krishna Jayanthi.

Sri Krishna Jayanthi Festival is the celebration of the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, on earth. He is considered to be the Lord's most glorious incarnation. Sri Krishna Jayanthi is one of the most important Hindu festivals of India.

This festival occurs on the eight day of the dark half of the month Shravan of the Indian calendar. This occurs between August and September on the Christian calendar. It is celebrated all over the country. According to the calendar, this year (2009) Janmashtami (Gokulashtami) is celebrated on the 13th of August, in most part of the southern India. However, in Kerala, Ashtami Rohini is celebrated on 11th September. (In Chingam month.)

Lord Krishna's enchanting form with flute in hand is worshipped in myriads of homes in India. The women draw patterns of little children's feet outside the house in Southern India to symbolize Little Krishna entering every room to bless it. Varieties of sweets are made during this occasion. Among them, laddus and payasam are the most common sweets.

The festival is observed by fasting on the previous day, which is broken only at midnight, the time when Krishna is believed to have been born. Sanskrit hymns are recited in praise of Lord Krishna during this festival. At Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, the birth place of Lord Krishna, special spiritual gatherings are organised at this time. Pilgrims from all over India attend these festive gatherings.

The devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate this festival with great pomp and gaiety in Krishna temples. Some of the famous Krishna temples in South India are Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayur, Sri Krishna Temple at Udupi and ISKON temples.

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