Sri Krishna Janmashtami is a popular Hindu festival. This festival is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of Bhadrapada month according to the Hindu Panchang. It is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami, and Shree Jayanti. In the year 2020 Shri Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on Monday 10 August.

This festival is celebrated with full faith and reverence worldwide. Janmashtami is celebrated not only in India but also Indians living in other countries with full faith, enthusiasm and exultancy. Sri Krishna has been the center of our faith for ages.

When and why Janmashtami is celebrated:

Sri Krishna was the 8th son of Devaki and Vasudeva. The king of the city of Mathura was Kansa, who was very cruel. His atrocities were escalating day by day. At one time it was heard from the sky that the 8th son of his sister Devaki would kill him. Hearing this, Kansa put her sister Devaki in a dungeon with her husband Vasudev. Kansa kills 7 children of Devaki. When Devaki gave birth to Lord Krishna, Lord Vishnu appears there and says Vasudeva to take Shri Krishna to Gokul, where he would be secure from his uncle Kansa. Shri Krishna was raised under the supervision of Yashoda Mata and Nand Baba. Just, in the joy of his birth, the festival of Janmashtami is celebrated every year since then.

Preparations:

Temples are specially decorated on the day of Sri Krishna Janmashtami. On Janmashtami, there is a tradition of fasting entire day. On Janmashtami, devotees do fast. On this day, tableaus are decorated in the temples and Lord Krishna is seen swinging and Raslila is organized.

Dahi-Handi Competition:

On the day of Janmashtami, Dahi-Handi competition is organized in many places in the country. Bal-Govinda participates in the Dahi-Handi competition. A matki (pot) filled with buttermilk, curd etc. is hung in the sky and an attempt is made to break the pot by the Bal-Govinda. The winning team which succeeds in breaking the pot earns the prize.

There is a tradition to observe fast on Janmashtami. Fruits should be eating as per your ability. No god tells us to stay hungry, so fast according to your faith. Do not eat anything during fast for the whole day can have a bad effect on your health. That is why we should adopt Shri Krishna's message in our lives.