Synonyms: Krishnajayanti, Krishna Jayanthi, Janmashtami, Janmashtam, Shri Krushna Jayanthi, Krishnashtami, Kalashtami, Gopalkala.

Significance

    Lord Krushna was born on the eight day (ashtami) in the dark fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Shravan at midnight, when the moon was in Vrushabh formation with the lunar asterism, Rohini. The divine principle (tattva) of Lord Krushna is most active on this day of the year.

Celebration

The birth of Lord Krushna (infant Krushna) is celebrated at midnight, using a cradle.

One should fast the whole day before the celebration at midnight. The fast is ended either at midnight by eating the Holy sacrament (prasad) or the next morning by eating an offering of a mixture (dahikala) of curd (yogurt with enzymes retained) with kala. Kala is a mixture of various eatables, curd, milk and butter. When grazing the cattle along with the cowherds at Vraj (a city in ancient India), Shri Krushna mixed the food from the lunch boxes of His companions with that of His own, to make kala and ate it along with them. In keeping with this story, later it became customary to prepare kala and break a hanging pot containing curd on the day after Gokulashtami.

    Fasting on this day as well as observing Rushipanchami, a vowed religious observance (vrat), reduces the effects of menses, impurity and touch on women. [The effects on men are reduced by performing acts of repentance (prayashchitta karma), such as shaving the head, etc. Performing the ritual of Udakshanti reduces the effects on the premise. ]

    Read a detailed article on Sri Krishna Jayanti and its significance here.