Krishna Janmaasthami

Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Asthami or simply Janmashtami, is a Hindu festival celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of the god Vishnu. It typically falls on the eighth day (Asthami) of the dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which usually corresponds to August or September in the Gregorian calendar.

The festival holds great significance for devotees across Nepal and worldwide, who observe various rituals and customs to commemorate the occasion. Preparations for Krishna Janmashtami often begin weeks in advance, with devotees decorating temples and homes, fasting, and engaging in devotional activities.

On the day of Krishna Janmashtami, devotees observe a day-long fast, breaking it only at midnight, the supposed time of Lord Krishna's birth. This moment, known as "Nishita Puja," is marked with fervent prayers, chanting of hymns, and offering of special sweets, fruits, and delicacies to the deity.

Throughout the day and night, temples resonate with the melodious singing of devotional songs and recitation of scriptures, while colorful processions depicting scenes from Lord Krishna's life are held in various parts of Nepal. One of the highlights of the festival is the "Dahi Handi" ceremony, where young men form human pyramids to break a pot filled with curd, symbolizing Krishna's love for dairy products.

Krishna Janmashtami is not just a religious observance but also a cultural extravaganza, bringing communities together in joyous celebration and reinforcing the values of love, compassion, and righteousness embodied by Lord Krishna.