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Krishna Janmashtami facts for kids

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Krishna Janmashtami, often just called Janmashtami, is a special Hindu festival. It celebrates the birthday of Krishna, who is believed to be the eighth form (or avatar) of the god Vishnu. This exciting festival happens every year in August or September, depending on the Hindu calendar. It's a very important day for many Hindus, especially those who follow the Vaishnavism tradition.

Celebrating Krishna's Birthday

Janmashtami is a joyful celebration of Lord Krishna's birth. Krishna is a central figure in Hinduism, known for his wisdom, strength, and playful nature. People believe he was born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Shraavana or Bhadrapad in the Hindu calendar.

How is Janmashtami Celebrated?

People celebrate Janmashtami in many ways across India and other parts of the world.

  • Plays and Dances: Many celebrations include special plays and dances called Rasa lila or Krishna Lila. These performances show stories from Krishna's life, especially from the Bhagavata Purana.
  • Midnight Prayers: Devotional songs and prayers are sung, especially at midnight, because that's when Krishna is believed to have been born.
  • Fasting and Vigil: Many people fast (don't eat) during the day and stay awake all night (a night vigil or ratri jagaran) to pray and celebrate.
  • Big Festivals: The day after Janmashtami is often a big festival called mahotsava, with lots of food and fun.

Special Traditions

One popular tradition is called Dahi Handi. This happens the day after Janmashtami. Teams of people form human pyramids to reach a high-hanging pot filled with curd (like yogurt) or butter. This tradition remembers Krishna's childhood mischief, when he would playfully steal butter.

Another tradition is Nandotsav. This festival follows Janmashtami. It celebrates the time when Krishna's father, Nanda Maharaj, gave gifts to everyone in his village, Vrindavan, to celebrate Krishna's birth.

Many families also dress up young children as Krishna or as Gopis (his friends). They also prepare special traditional sweet dishes to share.

Images for kids

  • Baby Krishna being carried by Vasudeva

    Statue of Krishna being carried across the river

  • Baby thief Krishna (bazaar art, c.1950's)

    Some communities celebrate Krishna's legends such as him as a Makkan chor (butter thief).

  • Dahi Handi

    Dahi Handi, a Janmashtami tradition, in progress in Mumbai India.

  • Gokulashtami

    Dahi Handi

  • Festive dishes on Krishna Janmashtami

    Traditional festive food shared on Krishna Janmashtami

  • Krishnastami Toddler Dress Up 2

    A Toddler dressed like Krishna

  • ISKCON temple, Delhi at Janamashtami

    ISKCON temple in Delhi at Janamashtami

  • Rasa Lila in Manipuri dance style

    Rasa lila in Manipuri dance style

  • Janmashtami Puja

    Janmashtami Puja in Odia family

  • A Hindu baby being dressed up as Krishna for the Janmashtami festival

    Dressing up babies as Krishna or Gopis on Janmashtami festival is a popular Hindu tradition.

  • Patan-Krishna Mandir-02-Garudasaeule-Vishveshvara-Bhimsen-gje

    Krishna Mandir in Patan, Nepal.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Janmashtami para niños

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