Krishna Janmashtami (), also known simply as Krishnashtami, Janmashtami, or Gokulashtami, is an annual
Hindu
Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
festival that celebrates the
birth of Krishna, the eighth
avatar
Avatar (, ; ) is a concept within Hinduism that in Sanskrit literally means . It signifies the material appearance or incarnation of a powerful deity, or spirit on Earth. The relative verb to "alight, to make one's appearance" is sometimes u ...
of
Vishnu
Vishnu (; , , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the Hindu deities, principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism, and the god of preservation ( ...
. In certain Hindu texts, such as the ''
Gita Govinda'', Krishna has been identified as supreme God and the source of all avatars.
Krishna's birth is celebrated and observed on the eighth day (
Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (
Krishna Paksha) in
Shravana Masa
''Masa'' or ''masa de maíz'' (; ) is a dough made from ground nixtamalized maize. It is used for making corn tortillas, '' gorditas'', '' tamales'', '' pupusas'', and many other Latin American dishes.
It is dried and powdered into a flour f ...
(according to the
amanta tradition). According to the
purnimanta tradition), Krishna's birth is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in
Bhadrapada Masa.
This overlaps with August or September of the
Gregorian calendar
The Gregorian calendar is the calendar used in most parts of the world. It went into effect in October 1582 following the papal bull issued by Pope Gregory XIII, which introduced it as a modification of, and replacement for, the Julian cale ...
.
It is an important festival, particularly in the
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism () ), also called Vishnuism, is one of the major Hindu denominations, Hindu traditions, that considers Vishnu as the sole Para Brahman, supreme being leading all other Hindu deities, that is, ''Mahavishnu''. It is one of the majo ...
tradition of Hinduism.
The celebratory customs associated with Janmashtami include a celebration festival, reading and recitation of religious texts, dance and enactments of the life of Krishna according to the ''
Bhagavata Purana
The ''Bhagavata Purana'' (; ), also known as the ''Srimad Bhagavatam (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam)'', ''Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana'' () or simply ''Bhagavata (Bhāgavata)'', is one of Hinduism's eighteen major Puranas (''Mahapuranas'') and one ...
'', devotional singing till midnight (the time of Krishna's birth), and fasting (''upavasa''), amongst other things.
Some break their daylong fast at midnight with a feast. Krishna Janmashtami is widely celebrated across India and abroad.
Etymology
The meaning of the
Sanskrit
Sanskrit (; stem form ; nominal singular , ,) is a classical language belonging to the Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European languages. It arose in northwest South Asia after its predecessor languages had Trans-cultural ...
word Janmashtami can be understood by splitting it into the two words, "Janma" and "Ashtami." The word "Janma" means birth and the word "Ashtami" means eight; thus, Krishna Janmashtami is the celebration of Krishna's birth on the eighth day of the dark fortnight (
Krishna Paksha) in the month of
Bhadrapada (August–September).
History
Information about Krishna's life is noted in the
Mahabharata
The ''Mahābhārata'' ( ; , , ) is one of the two major Sanskrit Indian epic poetry, epics of ancient India revered as Smriti texts in Hinduism, the other being the ''Ramayana, Rāmāyaṇa''. It narrates the events and aftermath of the Kuru ...
, the
, and
Bhagavata Purana
The ''Bhagavata Purana'' (; ), also known as the ''Srimad Bhagavatam (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam)'', ''Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana'' () or simply ''Bhagavata (Bhāgavata)'', is one of Hinduism's eighteen major Puranas (''Mahapuranas'') and one ...
.
Krishna
Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...
is the eighth son of
Devaki (mother) and
Vasudeva
Vasudeva (; Sanskrit: वसुदेव ), also called Anakadundubhi (''anakas'' and ''dundubhis'' both refer to ''drums'', after the musicians who played these instruments at the time of his birth), is the father of the Hindu deities Krishna ( ...
(father).
Surrounding the time of his birth, persecution was rampant, freedoms were being denied, and King
Kamsa's life was threatened.
Krishna was born within a prison in
Mathura
Mathura () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Mathura district in the states and union territories of India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located south-east of Delhi; and about from the town of Vrindavan. In ancient ti ...
, India where his parents were constrained by his uncle, Kamsa.
During Devaki's wedding, Kamsa was warned by a celestial voice that Devaki's eighth son would be the cause of his death.
In an effort to defy this prophesy, Kamsa imprisoned his sister Devaki and her husband and promptly killed the first six of her newborns after their birth.
The guards responsible for keeping watch over Devaki's cell fell asleep and the cell doors were miraculously opened at the time of Krishna's birth.
These events allowed Vasudeva to send Krishna across the
Yamuna
The Yamuna (; ) is the second-largest tributary river of the Ganges by discharge and the longest tributary in India. Originating from the Yamunotri Glacier at a height of about on the southwestern slopes of Bandarpunch peaks of the Low ...
River to his foster parents, Yashoda (mother) and Nanda (father).
This legend is celebrated on Janmashtami by people keeping fasts, singing devotional songs of love for Krishna, and keeping a vigil into the night.
Throughout Krishna's childhood and young adult life,
Balarama, Krishna's half-brother, was a "constant companion" for him. Balarama joined Krishna in the major events that are celebrated in Vraja, Brindavan, Dravarka, and Mathura such as stealing butter, chasing calves, playing in the cow pens, and participating in wrestling matches.
Observance and celebrations
Krishna Janmashtami holds significant importance to Krishnaites as well as Hindus around the world, and it is celebrated in diverse forms depending on their regional and cultural customs.
Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, singing, praying together, preparing and sharing special food, night vigils, and visiting Krishna or Vishnu temples. The places of Mathura and
Vrindavan
Vrindavan (; ), also spelt Vrindaban and Brindaban, is a historical city in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is located in the Braj, Braj Bhoomi region and holds religious importance for Hindus who believe that Krishna, one of ...
are visited by pilgrims.
Some mandirs organize recitation of ''
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita (; ), often referred to as the Gita (), is a Hindu texts, Hindu scripture, dated to the second or first century BCE, which forms part of the Hindu epic, epic poem Mahabharata. The Gita is a synthesis of various strands of Ind ...
'' in the days leading up to Janmashtami. Many northern Indian communities organize dance-drama events called ''Rasa Lila'' or ''Krishna Lila''.
The tradition of Rasa Lila is particularly popular in the
Mathura
Mathura () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Mathura district in the states and union territories of India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located south-east of Delhi; and about from the town of Vrindavan. In ancient ti ...
region, in northeastern states of India such as Manipur and Assam, and in parts of
Rajasthan
Rajasthan (; Literal translation, lit. 'Land of Kings') is a States and union territories of India, state in northwestern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the List of states and union territories of ...
and
Gujarat
Gujarat () is a States of India, state along the Western India, western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the List of states and union territories ...
. It is acted out by numerous teams of amateur artists, cheered on by their local communities, and these drama-dance plays begin a few days before each Janmashtami. People decorate their houses with flowers and light. On this day, people chant "Hare Krishna hare Krishna, Krishna- Krishna Hare Hare". The Janmashtami celebration is followed by ''Dahi Handi'', which is celebrated the next day.
After Krishna's midnight hour birth, forms of baby Krishna are bathed and clothed, then placed in a cradle. The devotees then break their fast by sharing food and sweets. Women draw tiny footprints outside their house doors and kitchen, walking towards their house, a symbolism for Krishna's journey into their homes.
Northern India
Janmashtami is the largest festival in the
Braj region of north India, in cities such as
Mathura
Mathura () is a city and the administrative headquarters of Mathura district in the states and union territories of India, Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located south-east of Delhi; and about from the town of Vrindavan. In ancient ti ...
where Krishna was born according to Krishnaism, and in Vrindavan where he grew up.
Vaishnava communities in these cities in
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...
, as well as others in the state, as well as locations in Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana,
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand (, ), also known as Uttaranchal ( ; List of renamed places in India, the official name until 2007), is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. The state is bordered by Himachal Pradesh to the n ...
and Himalayan north celebrate Janmashtami. Krishna temples are decorated and lighted up, they attract numerous visitors on the day, while Krishna devotees hold
bhakti events and keep night vigil.
The festival typically falls as the monsoons in north India have begun retreating, fields laden with crops and rural communities have time to play. In the northern states, Janmashtami is celebrated with the ''Raslila'' tradition, which literally means "play (Lila) of delight, essence (Rasa)". This is expressed as solo or group dance and drama events at Janmashtami, wherein Krishna related compositions are sung, music accompanies the performance, while actors and audience share and celebrate the performance by clapping hands to mark the beat.
The childhood pranks of Krishna and the love affairs of
Radha-Krishna are particularly popular. According to Christian Roy and other scholars, these Radha-Krishna love stories are Hindu symbolism for the longing and love of the human soul for the divine or
Brahman
In Hinduism, ''Brahman'' (; IAST: ''Brahman'') connotes the highest universal principle, the ultimate reality of the universe.P. T. Raju (2006), ''Idealistic Thought of India'', Routledge, , page 426 and Conclusion chapter part XII In the ...
.
Poetry describing the feats of Krishna became popular in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries within the Braj region, and is written according to a vernacular called "
Braj basha" (present-day "
Hindi
Modern Standard Hindi (, ), commonly referred to as Hindi, is the Standard language, standardised variety of the Hindustani language written in the Devanagari script. It is an official language of India, official language of the Government ...
"/dialect of "Hindi"). The Braj basha poems of
Surdas
Surdas was a 16th-century blind Hindu devotional poet and singing, singer, who was known for his works written in praise of Krishna. His compositions captured his devotion towards Krishna. Most of his poems were written in the Braj language, ...
(collectively known as the ''Sursagar'') are popularly recalled, some of which describe the birth and childhood of Krishna.
Jammu Region
In
Jammu region, Janmashtami is popularly known by the name "''Thogre/Thakure da Vrat''"
(meaning Vrat dedicated to Thakur i.e. Shri Krishna). Observing a ''Phalaahari Vrat'' for complete one day is the major ritual in the festival. The day is marked by numerous ''Phalaahari Dhaams'' or ''Bhandaras'' in the streets of Jammu region's prominent towns.
Janmashtami marks the beginning of the kite-flying season in the Jammu region whereby locals gather and fly decorated kites from their rooftops.
While on the other hand, girls and women decorate their palms by applying ''Teera'', dye of an indigenous plant.
Another ceremony associated with Janmashtami in Jammu region is "''Deyaa Parna"'' in which
Dogras donate cereal grains in the name of their ancestors & ''Kuldevtas''. A holy tree called ''jand'' is worshipped by women on this day. Special rotis called ''draupads'' are prepared and offered to cows and deities.
Kashmir
Janmashtami is celebrated as ''Zaram Satam'' (Janam Saptami) by the native
Kashmiri Pandits of Kashmir. The festival is associated with observing a ''vrat'' the whole day and visiting the ''Thokur Kuth'' (Krishna Mandir) at midnight. At night, ''puja'' is performed in the temples which includes performing ''
abhishek'' (ritual bath) to the ''murti'' of Krishna, and singing ''bhajans'' (devotional songs). Food items appropriate for fasting, such as ''gaer'' or ''singhada lapsi'' (made from waterchestnut flour), fruits, and dried fruits are consumed on this day.
Maharashtra
Janmashtami (popularly known as "Dahi Handii" in
Maharashtra
Maharashtra () is a state in the western peninsular region of India occupying a substantial portion of the Deccan Plateau. It is bordered by the Arabian Sea to the west, the Indian states of Karnataka and Goa to the south, Telangana to th ...
) is celebrated in cities such as
Mumbai
Mumbai ( ; ), also known as Bombay ( ; its official name until 1995), is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. Mumbai is the financial capital and the most populous city proper of India with an estimated population of 12 ...
,
Latur,
Nagpur
Nagpur (; ISO 15919, ISO: ''Nāgapura'') is the second capital and third-largest city of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is called the heart of India because of its central geographical location. It is the largest and most populated city i ...
and
Pune
Pune ( ; , ISO 15919, ISO: ), previously spelled in English as Poona (List of renamed Indian cities and states#Maharashtra, the official name until 1978), is a city in the state of Maharashtra in the Deccan Plateau, Deccan plateau in Western ...
.
It is a celebration of joy and facilitator of social oneness.
''Dahi Handi'' is an enactment of how Krishna, during his childhood, would steal butter.
This story is the theme of numerous reliefs on temples across India, as well as literature and dance-drama repertoire, symbolizing the joyful innocence of children, that love and life's play is the manifestation of god.
It is common practice for youth groups to celebrate the festival by participating in ''
Dahi Handi,'' which involves hanging a clay pot, filled with buttermilk, at a significant height.
Once hung, several youth groups compete to reach the pot by creating a human pyramid and breaking it open.
The spilled contents are considered as ''prasada'' (celebratory offering). It is a public spectacle, cheered and welcomed as a community event.
Gujarat and Rajasthan
In
Dwarka
Dwarka () is a town and municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the States and union territories of India, Indian state of Gujarat. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti river at ...
, Gujarat – where Krishna is believed to have established his kingdom – people celebrate the festival with a tradition similar to ''Dahi Handi'', called ''Makhan Handi'' (pot with freshly churned butter). Others perform folk dances such and ''
garba'' and ''raas'', sing
''bhajans'', and visit Krishna temples such as at the
Dwarkadhish Temple
The Dwarkadhish temple, also known as the Jagat Mandir and occasionally spelled Dwarakadheesh, is a Hindu temple dedicated to Krishna, who is worshiped in the temple by the name ''Dwarkadhish (Dvārakādhīśa)'', or 'King of Dwarka'. The tem ...
or
Nathdwara. In the
Kutch district region, farmers decorate their bullock carts and take out Krishna processions, with group singing and dancing. The day is of special importance to followers of the
Pushtimarg and the
Swaminarayan movement.
The works of Gujarati poets,
Narsinh Mehta (1414–1480 c.e.),
Dayaram (1777–1852) and Rajasthani poet
Mirabai (c.1500), are popularly revisited and sung during Janmashtami. Their works are categorized as part of the ''bhakti'' tradition, or devotional poetry dedicated to Krishna.
South India
In
Kerala
Kerala ( , ) is a States and union territories of India, state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile ...
, people celebrate in September, according to the
Malayalam calendar.
In
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
, people decorate the floor with kolams (decorative pattern drawn with rice batter). Geetha Govindam and other such devotional songs are sung in praise of Krishna. Little footprints, representing Krishna as an infant, are drawn from the threshold of the house till the pooja (prayer) room, which depicts the arrival of Krishna into the house. Reciting from the ''Bhagavad Gita'' is also a popular practice. The offerings made to Krishna include fruits, betel and butter. Milk-based items, such as sweet ''seedai'' and ''verkadalai urundai'', are prepared.
The festival is celebrated in the evening as Krishna was born at midnight. Most people observe a strict fast on this day.
In
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh (ISO 15919, ISO: , , AP) is a States and union territories of India, state on the East Coast of India, east coast of southern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, seventh-largest state and th ...
and
Telangana
Telangana is a States and union territories of India, state in India situated in the Southern India, south-central part of the Indian subcontinent on the high Deccan Plateau. It is the List of states and union territories of India by area, ele ...
, recitation of shlokas and devotional songs are the characteristics of this festival. Another unique feature of this festival is that young boys are dressed up as Krishna and they visit neighbours and friends. The people of Andhra Pradesh observe a fast too. Various kinds of sweets such as
chakodi,
murukku
Muṟukku () is a savoury, crunchy snack originating from the Indian subcontinent. In India, murukku is especially common in the states of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. It is called ''murku ...
, and seedai are offered to Krishna on this day.
Joyful chanting of Krishna's name takes place in quite a few temples of the state. The number of temples dedicated to Krishna are few. The reason being that people have taken to worship him through paintings and not idols.
Popular south Indian temples dedicated to Krishna are
Rajagopalaswamy Temple in
Mannargudi in the
Tiruvarur district, Pandavadhoothar temple in
Kanchipuram
Kanchipuram (International Alphabet of Sanskrit Transliteration, IAST: '; ), also known as Kanjeevaram, is a stand alone city corporation, satellite nodal city of Chennai in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu in the Tondaimandalam region, from ...
, Sri Krishna temple at
Udupi
Udupi () also known as 'Odipu' () is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is the administrative headquarters of Udupi district, and one of the fastest-growing cities in Karnataka. Udupi is one of the top tourist attractions in Karnataka an ...
, and the Krishna temple at
Guruvayur are dedicated to the memory of Vishnu's incarnation as Krishna. It is believed that the ''
murti
In the Hinduism, Hindu tradition, a ''murti'' (, ) is a devotional image, such as a statue or icon, of a Hindu deities, deity or Hindu saints, saint used during ''Puja (Hinduism), puja'' and/or in other customary forms of actively expressing d ...
'' (idol) of Krishna installed in Guruvayur is originally from his kingdom in Dwarka – which is believed to be submerged in the sea.
Eastern and Northeastern India
Janmashtami is widely celebrated by Krishnaite and Hindu Vaishnava communities of eastern and northeastern India. The widespread tradition of celebrating Krishna in these regions is credited to the efforts and teachings of 15th and 16th century
Sankardeva and
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Chaitanya Mahaprabhu (; ), born Vishvambhara Mishra () (18 February 1486 – 14 June 1534), was an Indian Hindus, Hindu saint from Bengal and the founder of Gaudiya Vaishnavism. Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's mode of worshipping Krishna with bha ...
. Sankardeva introduced the musical composition, ''
Borgeet'', and dance-drama styles – ''
Ankia Naat'' and ''
Sattriya'' - that is now popular in West Bengal and Assam. In Manipur state, a traditional dance - ''
Raas Leela'' - inspired by the theme of love and devotion between Krishna, Radha and the gopis, is enacted using the Manipuri dance style.
The contextual roots of these dance drama arts are found in the ancient text ''
Natya Shastra
The ''Nāṭya Shāstra'' (, ''Nāṭyaśāstra'') is a Sanskrit treatise on the performing arts. The text is attributed to sage Bharata, and its first complete compilation is dated to between 200 BCE and 200 CE, but estimates vary b ...
'', but with influences from the culture fusion between India and southeast Asia.

On Janmashtami, parents dress up their children as Krishna or the gopis. Temples and community centers are decorated with regional flowers and leaves, while groups recite or listen to the tenth chapter of the ''
Bhagavata Purana
The ''Bhagavata Purana'' (; ), also known as the ''Srimad Bhagavatam (Śrīmad Bhāgavatam)'', ''Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana'' () or simply ''Bhagavata (Bhāgavata)'', is one of Hinduism's eighteen major Puranas (''Mahapuranas'') and one ...
'', and the ''
Bhagavata Gita''.
Janmashtami is a major festival celebrated with fasts, vigil, recitation of scriptures and Krishna prayers in Manipur. Dancers performing
Raslila are a notable annual tradition during Janmashtami in Mathura and Vrindavan. Children play the ''Likol Sannaba'' game in the Meetei Krishnaite community.
The
Shree Govindajee Temple and the ISKCON temples particularly mark the Janmashtami festival.
[Janmashtami joy in Assam and Manipur]
The Times of India (26 August 2016) Janmashtami is celebrated in Assam at homes, in community centers called
Namghars (Assamese: নামঘৰ). According to the tradition, the devotees sing the ''Nam'', perform pujas and sharing food and ''Prasada''.
Odisha and West Bengal

In the eastern state of
Odisha
Odisha (), formerly Orissa (List of renamed places in India, the official name until 2011), is a States and union territories of India, state located in East India, Eastern India. It is the List of states and union territories of India by ar ...
, specifically the region around
Puri
Puri, also known as Jagannath Puri, () is a coastal city and a Nagar Palika, municipality in the state of Odisha in eastern India. It is the district headquarters of Puri district and is situated on the Bay of Bengal, south of the state ca ...
and in
Nabadwip, West Bengal, the festival is also referred to as ''Sri Krishna Jayanti'' or simply ''Sri Jayanti''. People celebrate Janmashtami by fasting and worship until midnight. The ''Bhagavata Purana'' is recited from the 10th chapter, a section dedicated to the life of
Krishna
Krishna (; Sanskrit language, Sanskrit: कृष्ण, ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme God (Hinduism), Supreme God in his own right. He is the god of protection, c ...
. The next day is called "Nanda Ucchhaba" or the joyous celebration of Krishna's foster parents
Nanda and
Yashoda. Devotees keep
fasting
Fasting is the act of refraining from eating, and sometimes drinking. However, from a purely physiological context, "fasting" may refer to the metabolic status of a person who has not eaten overnight (before "breakfast"), or to the metabolic sta ...
during the entire day of Janmashtami. They bring water from
Ganga to bathe Radha Madhaba during their abhisheka ceremony. A grand abhisheka is performed at midnight for the small Radha Madha. In Odisha, the Jagannath Temple in Puri, best known for its grand
''Ratha Yatra'' celebrations, perform a ''Ratha Yatra'' during Janmashtami.
Outside India
Nepal

About eighty percent of the population of
Nepal
Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mainly situated in the Himalayas, but also includes parts of the Indo-Gangetic Plain. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China Ch ...
identify themselves as Hindus and celebrate Krishna Janmashtami. They observe Janmashtami by fasting until midnight. It is a national holiday in Nepal. The devotees recite the
Bhagavad Gita
The Bhagavad Gita (; ), often referred to as the Gita (), is a Hindu texts, Hindu scripture, dated to the second or first century BCE, which forms part of the Hindu epic, epic poem Mahabharata. The Gita is a synthesis of various strands of Ind ...
and sing religious songs called bhajans and kirtans. The temples of Krishna are decorated. Shops, posters and houses carry Krishna motifs.
Bangladesh
Janmashtami is a
national holiday in Bangladesh.
On Janmashtami, a procession starts from
Dhakeshwari Temple in
Dhaka
Dhaka ( or ; , ), List of renamed places in Bangladesh, formerly known as Dacca, is the capital city, capital and list of cities and towns in Bangladesh, largest city of Bangladesh. It is one of the list of largest cities, largest and list o ...
, the National Temple of Bangladesh, and then proceeds through the streets of
Old Dhaka. The procession dates back to 1902, but was stopped in 1948. The procession was resumed in 1989.
Fiji
At least a quarter of the population in
Fiji
Fiji, officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists of an archipelago of more than 330 islands—of which about ...
practices Hinduism, and this holiday has been celebrated in Fiji since the first Indian indentured laborers landed there. Janmashtami in Fiji is known as "Krishna Ashtami". Most Hindus in Fiji have ancestors that originated from
Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh ( ; UP) is a States and union territories of India, state in North India, northern India. With over 241 million inhabitants, it is the List of states and union territories of India by population, most populated state in In ...
, Bihar, and
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu (; , TN) is the southernmost States and union territories of India, state of India. The List of states and union territories of India by area, tenth largest Indian state by area and the List of states and union territories of Indi ...
, making this an especially important festival for them. Fiji's Janmashtami celebrations are unique in that they last for eight days, leading up to the eighth day, the day Krishna was born. During these eight days, Hindus gather at homes and at temples with their 'mandalis,' or devotional groups at evenings and night, and recite the
Bhagavat Purana, sing devotional songs for Krishna, and distribute Prasadam.
Pakistan
Janmashtami is celebrated by
Pakistani Hindus in the
Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in
Karachi
Karachi is the capital city of the Administrative units of Pakistan, province of Sindh, Pakistan. It is the List of cities in Pakistan by population, largest city in Pakistan and 12th List of largest cities, largest in the world, with a popul ...
with the singing of
bhajans and delivering of sermons on Krishna. It is an optional holiday in Pakistan. Prior to the
Partition of India
The partition of India in 1947 was the division of British India into two independent dominion states, the Dominion of India, Union of India and Dominion of Pakistan. The Union of India is today the Republic of India, and the Dominion of Paki ...
,
Dera Ghazi Khan was the center of a Janmashtami fair at the thallā of Kevalarāma. This fair is now recreated in
Inder Puri, New Delhi.
Others
In
Arizona
Arizona is a U.S. state, state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States, sharing the Four Corners region of the western United States with Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah. It also borders Nevada to the nort ...
, United States, Governor
Janet Napolitano was the first American leader to greet a message on Janmashtami, while acknowledging
ISKCON
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), commonly known as the Hare Krishna movement, is a religious organization that follows the Gaudiya Vaishnavism, Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition of Hinduism. It was founded on 13 July 1966 ...
.
Executive Orders, Proclamations of General Applicability, and Statements Issues by the Governor Pursuant to A.R.S. § 41-1013(B)(3)
Arizona State Government, USA (2008) The festival is also celebrated widely by Krishnaites in the Caribbean
The Caribbean ( , ; ; ; ) is a region in the middle of the Americas centered around the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, mostly overlapping with the West Indies. Bordered by North America to the north, Central America ...
countries of Guyana
Guyana, officially the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, is a country on the northern coast of South America, part of the historic British West Indies. entry "Guyana" Georgetown, Guyana, Georgetown is the capital of Guyana and is also the co ...
, Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago, officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean, comprising the main islands of Trinidad and Tobago, along with several List of islands of Trinidad and Tobago, smaller i ...
, Jamaica
Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean Sea and the West Indies. At , it is the third-largest island—after Cuba and Hispaniola—of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean. Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, west of Hispaniola (the is ...
and Suriname
Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a country in northern South America, also considered as part of the Caribbean and the West Indies. It is a developing country with a Human Development Index, high level of human development; i ...
. Many Hindus in these countries originate from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar; descendants of indentured immigrants from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Bengal, and Orissa.
See also
* Krishna Janmasthan Temple Complex
* Birth of Krishna
* Radhashtami
* Jai Shri Krishna
* Bhadrapad
* Radha Krishna
Radha-Krishna (IAST , ) is the combined form of the Hindu god Krishna with his chief consort and ''shakti'' Radha. They are regarded as the feminine as well as the masculine realities of God and gender in Hinduism, God, in several Krishnaism, Kr ...
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{{Sindhi festivals
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Religious festivals in Bangladesh
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