Krishna Janmashtami facts for kids

Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is observed according to the Hindu calendar. It is on the eighth day of the Krishna Pakshain Shraavana or Bhadrapad (depending on whether the calendar chooses the new moon or full moon day as the last day of the month), which overlaps with August/September .

It is an important festival particularly to the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism. Dances of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana (such as Rasa lila or Krishna Lila), devotional singing at midnight when Krishna was born, fasting (upavasa), a night vigil (ratri jagaran), and a festival (mahotsava) on the following day are a part of the Janmashtami celebrations. It is celebrated throughout India.

Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festival Nandotsav, which celebrates the occasion when Nanda Maharaj, father of Krishna, distributed gifts to the villagers of Vrindavan in honour of the birth.

Images for kids

• 

  Statue of Krishna being carried across the river

• 

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

• 

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

• 

  Dahi Handi

• 

  Traditional festive food shared on Krishna Janmashtami

• 

  A Toddler dressed like Krishna

• 

  ISKCON temple in Delhi at Janamashtami

• 

  Rasa lila in Manipuri dance style

• 

  Janmashtami Puja in Odia family

• 

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

• 

  Krishna Mandir in Patan, Nepal.

See also

In Spanish: Janmashtami para niños