Krishna Janmashtami,  is also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, and it is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of  Lord Vishnu.

First day of the festival is known as Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami and the second day is known as Janmashtami. He is one of the most popular and widely worshiped deities among all Hindus throughout the world.  It is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. The birthday of Hindu’s favorite God. It is a special occasion for Hindus, who consider him as their leader, protector, philosopher, teacher, guide and friend all rolled into one.

Prayers and holy activities resulted in the incarnation of a divine life on earth that was Little Krishna born to Devaki and Vasudev in the jail of Mathura.  Bhagwan Krishna, was born on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Sravana . Lord Sri Krishna was born on ‘Rohini’ nakshatram .  Sri Krishna was born on a dark, stormy and windy night  in a jail to end the rule and atrocities of his maternal uncle, Evil Kansa. On the same  day of his birth, he made use of his superpower and opened jail doors, encouraged Vasudeva to move him out of jail, built way through overflowing Yamuna River in reaching Nandbaba’s home in Gokul safely. . The path of love and affection that Lord Krishna carved provides lifelines to his devotees even today. Lord Krishna incarnated on Earth to cleanse environmental, social, and political nuances.

 It falls on different dates for different groups of people in Sanatan Dharma. This auspicious day is called as Janmashtami. Indian as well as Western scholars also have now accepted the period between 3200 and 3100 BC as the period, in which Lord Krishna lived on  this  earth.

Devaki Mata was the sister of the cruel king Kansa. Kansa had all the power.  Because of cruelty, he started killing innocent people mercilessly who refused to honor him. His tortures on innocent people were increasing day by day.

One fine day when he was sending  Devaki Mata to her in-laws’s home along with  Vasudev  there was a revelation that warned Kansa that he will be killed by the eighth child of them. To avoid this, Kansa locked them in a dungeon. Whenever, Devaki Mata gave birth to a child, Kansa used to come and kill that child.

Seventh Child of Devaki Mata was transformed to the other wife of Vasudeva in the womb itself and later she gave birth to Balram.  King Kamsa was told that his Sister Devaki Mata had a miscarriage which he believed and left.

When the eighth child of Devaki Mata and Vasudeva arrived, Lord Vishnu himself told Vasudeva to take him to Gokul, where Nand Maharaj and Yashoda Mata resided. Vasudeva took the child, and crossed Yamuna river to reach Gokul. He quietly replaced his son with Yashoda’s daughter and returned back to the prison.

But foolish Kansa thought that she was the eighth child of Devaki Mata and Vasudeva and thus, threw her on a stone. Surprisingly, she transformed into Yogmaya and warned Kansa about his death and the killer of him is safely and happily growing in Gokul.

Lord Krishna grew up in Gokul. He killed many monsters there sent by Kansa during his Bal Leela  and returned back to Mathura to kill his uncle Kansa when he invited. From that time, Krishnashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna.

Lord Krishna is an ideal example of how to be an obedient son, an intelligent student, a romantic lover, and a caring husband. Humans should learn the right demeanor of life from all these different aspects of Lord Krishna’s life history. Also Sanatan Dharm draws its principle from Bhagawat Geeta Which Lord Krishna taught to Arjuna in Kurushethra.

Lord Krishna was born at 12 a.m  that is why, devotees remain awake till the midnight. All most in all parts of India, people observe a full day fasting to celebrate Krishna Ashtami. At 12 a.m devotees welcome Bal Gopal with devotional songs, chants, and dance. The priests of the temples offer traditional bath or Abhishek to Balagopal with Panchamrutam, made from milk, curd, honey, ghee and sugar.If you observe fasting on Janmashtami with full faith and devotion. Lord Krishna will purify your soul and will show you the right direction of the life.

In Lot of  houses in South India, people draw footsteps of Lord Krishna from the entrance of the house to their Puja room. These footsteps are drawn with rice flour paste and drawing the footsteps is a sign of welcoming Lord Krishna to our home.

Devotes make lot of sweets and savories that Krishna likes and also make butter balls that he loves the most. In many parts of Bharat devotees make human pyramid Like happened during Krishan’s Bal Leela  and break the pot to get butter, sweet and gifts.

The festival of Shri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated with great devotion throughout  the world. The celebrations have special significance in Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwaraka, and Nathdwara the places associated with the life and activities of Lord Krishna. The image of infant Krishna is bathed and is cradled in the midnight time. The conch shell is blown and the devotees celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna by singing devotional songs and by dancing with great joy. They also   give a bath with Panchamrit during the tableau of Mangla. And after the tableau of Mangala and then bathe him with ghee, honey, powdered sugar, etc.Have a Blessed Janmashtami.

PN:- The Date and Time of the event is given as per the Bharathiar Panchang. Contact your local temple / prohit for exact timing in your place as some times, the time of the celebration may change depending upon which part of the world you live in.