Janmashtami
also known as Gokulashtami marks the celebration of the birth of Lord Sri
Krishna. Sri Krishna was born in the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) to King
Vasudeva and Devaki Devi on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month
of Sravana. This festival is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and
Krishnashtmi. The actual day of celebration can be on two different days as the
star 'Rohini' and Ashtami may not be on the same day. These days correspond to
the August and September months on the Gregorian calendar.
Sri Krishna
is considered as the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu's, (one of
three major Hindu Gods) on earth. He is considered to be the Lord's most
glorious incarnations. It is said that his remembrance true heart brings
extreme joy and pleasure because Sri Krishna himself was a manifestation of joy
at all levels and in all walks of life. No other God in the Hindu pantheon, or
for that matter in any other religion, is associated with so many romantic
tales and so fully radiating with all the divine attributes as Sri Krishna
Shri
Krishna is today one of the most widely revered and most popular of all Hindu
Gods. He is worshipped as the eighth incarnation or avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Krishna is also worshipped as a supreme god in his own right by numerous sects
around the world.
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).
The Sri
Krishna Jayanti festival is not celebrated on the same day in all parts of
India and this is due to the various regional calendars and the various
calculations in the time of the birth of Krishna.
In 2011,
Sri Krishna Jayanti is marked on August 21 in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and is some
parts of Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. In North India, it is
marked on August 22. The Smarta Tradition observes the festival on August 21
and the Vaishnava Tradition on August 22.
Special
pujas are held in Sri Krishna Temples spread around the world and millions of
people visit the shrines. Special poojas and rituals are held at midnight the
time of Krishna’s birth.