Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu; Hinduism believes in a trinity of gods: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer).
Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu; Hinduism believes in a trinity of gods: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver), and Shiva (the destroyer). Thus, in a country like Nepal where more than 80% of the population is Hindu, Krishna Janmashthami is a major festival celebrated with great devotion and enthusiasm. As per the Hindu calendar, this religious festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra which falls during August/September of the Gregorian calendar. This year it is being celebrated on 23rd August as the 5244th Birth Anniversary of Lord Krishna. The holy book of Hinduism i.e. the Bhagavad Gita is set in a narrative framework of a dialogue between Pandava Prince Arjuna and his guide/charioteer Krishna. At the start of the Dharma Yudhha (righteous war) between Pandavas and Kauravas, Arjuna is filled with distress and moral dilemma about the violence and death the war will cause. He wonders if he should repudiate and seeks Krishna's counsel, whose reply and consultation constitute the Bhagadvad Gita. Krishna instructs Arjuna to "fulfill his Kshatriya (warrior) duty to uphold the Dharma" through "selfless action". For this and many other reasons, Krishna is considered to be the most powerful incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
Krishna was born exactly at midnight in a prison cell. It is believed he was born to end the suffering of the people due to the wickedness of his maternal uncle Kansa. He was the biological child of Vasudev and Devaki, but he was brought up by Nanda and Yasoda Maiya. Krishna’s childhood is full of fun and love. His youth is romantic and an example of love and friendship with Gopis and Gopinies. Krishna Janmashthami is celebrated all over the world by all Hindu. To mark the day, there will be performances at midnight that look back to the epic battle of Krishna against the evil King Kansa, when it was also very dark and windy. Many devotees will fast, worship Krishna, and offer such things as milk and cheese curds to him since he is thought to particularly enjoy dairy products. Janmashtami celebrations include singing bhajans and dancing, reenacting the “life cycle of Krishna,” visits to festively decorated Hindu temples, and exchanging of gifts. Most temples are lit up for the devotees who gather in the night to offer flowers, food and candy to a Krishna idol.
Come join us to behold the best Krishna Janmashthami celebrations in Nepal. On 24th August, every street of Kathmandu remains abuzz with beautiful fragrance of flowers and incense sticks with devotees visiting all the beautiful temples in and around the valley rejoicing in the birth of their beloved god. All Krishna temples are placed with beautiful cribs holding a small idol of the “Balgopal” (baby Krishna), the makhan chor. Krishna lila (drama) is performed during this festival. But some places really stand out when it comes to celebrating this festival. So, if you want to immerse yourself into the majestic and colorful world of Krishna, you can join us on a tour to the following places.
Patan Krishna Mandir
Re-opened only recently in 2018 after the devastating earthquake of 2015, this temple is swarmed with thousands of devotees during the festival. The sight of devotees standing in lines singing the name of the lord, waiting patiently just to catch a glimpse of his idol is almost infectious.
ISKON Temples
Located in Budhanilkantha, the ISKON Temples really stand out when it comes to celebrating this day. The passion, magnificence and devotion of the people visiting will fill your heart with bliss. On this day Mahaprasad is offered to the diety that includes 56 delicacies prepared without garlic and onion.
Shyam Shyam Dham
A religious fair that lasts for days is organized at Shyam Shyam Dham in Thimi Municipality, Bhaktapur. Devotees offer prayers, prasad (the god’s leftovers, which carry his favour), arti, sing bhajans, perform skits and dance their heart out to celebrate the festival all night long.
