Krishna Janmashtami: Difference between revisions

{{Short description|Annual Hindu festival, celebrating the birth (janma) of the god Krishna}}

{{Use Indian English|date=August 2022}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}

| holiday_name = Krishna Janmashtami

| type         = Hindu

| image         = Yesoda-krishna.jpg

| caption       = [[Krishna]] with his [[foster mother]] [[Yashoda]]

| nickname     = {{Plainlist|

* Krishnashtami

* Gokulashtami

* Yadukulashtami

* Srikrishna Jayanti<!-- keep since only one is mentioned in main text -->

| observedby   = [[Hindus]]

| longtype     = Religious (1–2 days), cultural

| date         = Shraavana 23 ([[Hindu_calendar#amanta|amanta]] tradition) <br> Bhadrapada 8 ([[Hindu_calendar#purnimanta|purnimanta]] tradition)

| date2020     = {{Nowrap|11, 12 August}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Portal of India|url=https://www.india.gov.in/calendar?date=2020-08|access-date=3 August 2020|website=www.india.gov.in}}</ref>

| date2021     = {{Nowrap|Monday, 30 August}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Portal of India|url=https://www.india.gov.in/calendar?date=2021-08|access-date=3 August 2020|website=www.india.gov.in}}</ref>

| date2022      = {{Nowrap|18–19 August}}<ref>{{Cite web|title=National Portal of India|url=https://www.india.gov.in/calendar?date=2022-08|access-date=3 August 2020|website=www.india.gov.in}}</ref>

| celebrations = [[Dahi Handi]] (next day, in the north), kite-flying, drawing footprints of infant Krishna,<br />fasting, traditional sweet dishes, etc.

| observances   = Dance-drama, puja, night vigil, fasting

'''Krishna Janmashtami''' {{Literal translation|'Occasion of the birth of Krishna'}}, also known simply as '''Krishnashtami,''' '''Janmashtami,''' or '''Gokulashtami''', is an annual [[Hindu]] festival that celebrates the birth of [[Krishna]], the eighth [[avatar]] of [[Vishnu]].<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p314">{{Cite book |author=James G. Lochtefeld |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A–M |url=https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/314 |url-access=registration |year=2002 |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |isbn=978-0823931798 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/illustratedencyc0000loch/page/314 314–315]}}</ref> According to the [[Hindu calendar|Hindu lunisolar calendar]], it is observed on the eighth [[Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar#tithi|tithi]] ([[Ashtami]]) of the [[Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar#paksha|Krishna Paksha]] (dark fortnight) of [[Shraavana]] [[Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar#chandramasa|Masa]] (according to the [[Hindu_calendar#amanta|amanta]] tradition) or [[Bhadrapada]] [[Astronomical basis of the Hindu calendar#chandramasa|Masa]] (according to the [[Hindu_calendar#purnimanta|purnimanta]] tradition). This overlaps with August or September of the [[Gregorian calendar]].<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p314" />

It is an important festival, particularly in the [[Vaishnavism]] tradition of Hinduism.<ref>{{Cite book |author=J. Gordon Melton |title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KDU30Ae4S4cC&pg=PA396 |year=2011 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=978-1-59884-205-0 |page=396}}</ref> Dance-drama enactments of the life of Krishna according to the ''[[Bhagavata Purana]]'' (such as [[Rasa lila|Rasa Lila]] or Krishna Lila), devotional singing through the midnight when Krishna was born, fasting (''upavasa''), a night vigil (Ratri ''Jagaran''), and a festival (Mahotsav) on the following day are a part of the Janmashtami celebrations.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Edwin Francis Bryant |title=Sri Krishna: A Sourcebook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0z02cZe8PU8C |year=2007 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-803400-1 |pages=224–225, 538–539}}</ref> It is celebrated particularly in [[Mathura, Uttar Pradesh|Mathura]] and [[Brindavan|Vrindavan]], along with major [[Vaishnava]] and non-sectarian communities found in Manipur, [[Assam]], [[Bihar]], West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, [[Rajasthan]], [[Gujarat]], Maharashtra, Karnataka, [[Kerala]], Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu  and all the other states of India.<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p314" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=In Pictures: People Celebrating Janmashtami in India |website=[[International Business Times]] |date=10 August 2012 |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/372380/20120810/pictures-people-celebrating-janmashtami-india.htm |access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref>

Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festival [[Nandotsav|Nandotsava]], which celebrates the occasion when [[Nanda Baba|Nanda]] distributed gifts to the community in honor of the birth.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Cynthia Packert |year=2010 |title=The Art of Loving Krishna: Ornamentation and Devotion |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Ebxa1F8zNT0C&pg=PG169 |publisher=Indiana University Press |page=169 |isbn=978-0-253-00462-8}}</ref>

[[Krishna]] was [[Devaki]] and [[Vasudeva Anakadundubhi]]'s son, and his birthday is celebrated by Hindus as Janmashtami, particularly those of the [[Gaudiya Vaishnavite]] tradition, as he is considered the supreme personality of the [[God in Hinduism|Godhead]]. Janmashtami is celebrated when Krishna is believed to have been born according to Hindu tradition, which was in [[Mathura]] at midnight on the eighth day of [[Bhadrapada]] or the 23rd day of [[Shraavana]], which overlaps with late August and early September in the Gregorian calendar.<ref name="Lochtefeld2002p314"/><ref>{{Cite book|author=Charles R. Brooks|title=The Hare Krishnas in India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0gkABAAAQBAJ&pg=PA250|year=2014|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-5989-4|page=250}}</ref>

Krishna was born in an area of chaos. It was a time when persecution was rampant, freedoms were denied, evil was everywhere, and when there was a threat to his life by his uncle, King [[Kamsa|Kansa]].<ref name="Varma2009p7">{{Cite book|author=Pavan K. Varma|title=The Book of Krishna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_anlsbp56aoC |year=2009|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-0-14-306763-4|pages=7–11}}</ref> Immediately following the birth of Krishna at [[Nathdwara|Mathura]], his father [[Vasudeva Anakadundubhi]] took him across the [[Yamuna]] river to [[Foster care|foster parents]] in [[Gokul|Gokula]] named [[Nanda (mythology)|Nanda]] and [[Yashoda]], who were Vasudeva's brother and sister-in-law. Along with Krishna, an avatar of the serpent [[Shesha]] was also incarnated on earth as Krishna's older brother [[Balarama]], who was the son of [[Rohini (wife of Vasudeva)|Rohini]], Vasudeva's first wife. This legend is celebrated on Janmashtami by people keeping fasts, singing devotional songs of love for Krishna, and keeping a vigil into the night.<ref name="Melton2011p459" /> After Krishna's midnight hour birth, forms of baby Krishna are bathed and clothed, then placed in a cradle. The devotees then break their fast by sharing food and sweets. Women draw tiny footprints outside their house doors and kitchen, walking towards their house, a symbolism for Krishna's journey into their homes.<ref name="Melton2011p459">{{Cite book|author=Constance A Jones|editor=J. Gordon Melton|title=Religious Celebrations: An Encyclopedia of Holidays, Festivals, Solemn Observances, and Spiritual Commemorations |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lD_2J7W_2hQC&pg=PA459 |year=2011|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-206-7|page=459}}</ref>

Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, singing, praying together, preparing and sharing special food, night vigils, and visiting Krishna or Vishnu temples. Major Krishna temples organize recitation of ''Bhagavata Purana'' and ''Bhagavad Gita''.<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Gibson|first1=Lynne |last2=Wootten|first2=Pat|title=Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jnwffnGT0tEC&pg=PA40 |year=2002|publisher=Heinemann|isbn=978-0-435-33618-9|page=40}}</ref> Many northern Indian communities organize dance-drama events called ''Rasa Lila'' or ''Krishna Lila''.<ref name="Melton2011p459" /> The tradition of Rasa Lila is particularly popular in the Mathura region, in northeastern states of India such as Manipur and Assam, and in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat. It is acted out by numerous teams of amateur artists, cheered on by their local communities, and these drama-dance plays begin a few days before each Janmashtami.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Pavan K. Varma|title=The Book of Krishna|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_anlsbp56aoC |year=2009|publisher=Penguin Books|isbn=978-0-14-306763-4|pages=160–162}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author=Edwin Francis Bryant|title=Krishna: A Sourcebook |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0z02cZe8PU8C |year=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-803400-1|pages=449–457}}</ref> People decorate their houses with flowers and light.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 August 2021|title=Janmashtami 2021: Date, history, significance and importance of Krishna Janmashtami|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/janmashtami-2021-date-history-significance-importance-of-krishna-janmashtami-101629180904514.html|access-date=31 August 2021|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref> On this day, People chant "Hare Krishna hare Krishna, Krishna- Krishna Hare Hare". The Janmashtami celebration is followed by ''Dahi Handi'', which is celebrated the next day.<ref>{{Cite web|date=27 August 2021|title=Krishna Janmashtami 2021 Date, Puja Muhurat and Significance|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/religion/festivals/krishna-janmashtami-2021-date-puja-muhurat-and-significance/articleshow/85424989.cms|access-date=31 August 2021|website=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Janmashtami 2021: Know The Date, Timing, Significance And Celebrations Of Krishna Janmashtami|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/janmashtami-2021-date-timing-significance-celebrations-and-all-you-need-to-know-about-krishna-janmashtami-2518394|access-date=31 August 2021|website=NDTV.com}}</ref>

Janmashtami (popularly known as "Gokulashtami" as in [[Maharashtra]]) is celebrated in cities such as [[Mumbai]], [[Latur]], [[Nagpur]] and [[Pune]]. ''Dahi Handi'' is celebrated every August/September, the day after Krishna Janmashtami.<ref name="Melton2011p459" /><ref name=" Roy2005p213" /> Here, people break the [[Dahi Handi]] which is a part of this festival. The term Dahi Handi literally means "earthen pot of yogurt". The festival gets this popular regional name from the legend of baby Krishna. According to it, he would seek and steal milk products such as yogurt and butter and people would hide their supplies high up out of the baby's reach. Krishna would try all sorts of creative ideas in his pursuit, such as making [[human pyramid]]s with his friends to break these high hanging pots.<ref name=bryant9>{{Cite book|author=Edwin Francis Bryant|title=Krishna: A Sourcebook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0z02cZe8PU8C|year=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-803400-1|pages=9–10, 115–116, 265–267}}</ref> This story is the theme of numerous reliefs on Hindu temples across India, as well as literature and dance-drama repertoire, symbolizing the joyful innocence of children, that love and life's play is the manifestation of god.<ref name="Hawley2014ix">{{Cite book|author=John Stratton Hawley|title=Krishna, The Butter Thief|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ncb_AwAAQBAJ |year=2014|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-4008-5540-7|pages=ix–xi, 3–11, 89, 256, 313–319}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|author=Edwin Francis Bryant|title=Krishna: A Sourcebook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0z02cZe8PU8C|year=2007|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-803400-1|pages=114–118}}</ref>

In Maharashtra and other western states in India, this Krishna legend is played out as a community tradition on Janmashtami, where pots of yoghurt are hung high up, sometimes with tall poles or from ropes hanging from the second or third level of a building.<ref name="Melton2011p459" /> Per the annual tradition, teams of youth and boys called the "Govindas" go around to these hanging pots, climb one over another and form a human pyramid, then break the pot.<ref name=" Roy2005p213" /> Girls surround these boys, cheer and tease them while dancing and singing. The spilled contents are considered as ''Prasada'' (celebratory offering). It is a public spectacle, cheered and welcomed as a community event.<ref name=" Roy2005p213">{{Cite book|author=Christian Roy|title=Traditional Festivals: A Multicultural Encyclopedia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IKqOUfqt4cIC&pg=PA213|year=2005|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-57607-089-5|pages=213–215}}</ref><ref name=CNNDMello>{{Cite news|last1=DMello|first1=Daniel|title=8 incredible facts about Mumbai|url=http://travel.cnn.com/mumbai/life/8-incredible-facts-about-Mumbai-082838 |access-date=23 July 2014|work=CNN|date=4 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729030959/http://travel.cnn.com/mumbai/life/8-incredible-facts-about-Mumbai-082838|archive-date=29 July 2014}}</ref>

In contemporary times, many Indian cities celebrate this annual Hindu ritual. Youth groups form ''Govinda pathaks'', which compete with each other, especially for prize money on Janamashtami. These groups are called ''mandals'' or ''handis'' and they go around the local areas, attempting to break as many pots as possible every August. Social celebrities and media attend the festivities, while corporations sponsor parts of the event.<ref name=TOIMishra>{{Cite news|author1=Ambarish Mishra|author2=Nitin Yeshwantrao|author3=Bella Jaisinghani|title=Nine-tier handi breaks into Guinness Records|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Nine-tier-handi-breaks-into-Guinness-Records/articleshow/15441796.cms?referral=PM|access-date=23 July 2014|work=The Times of India|date=11 August 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/news/2008/aug/240808-janmashtami-celebrated.htm|title=Janmashtami celebrated with zeal, enthusiasm|work=Mid Day|date=24 August 2008|access-date=12 August 2009}}</ref> Cash and gifts are offered for ''Govinda'' teams, and according to [[The Times of India]], in 2014 over 4,000 ''handis'' in Mumbai alone were high hung with prizes, and numerous Govinda teams participated.<ref name="TOIMishra"/>

People in [[Dwarka]] in Gujarat – where Krishna is believed to have established his kingdom – celebrate the festival with a tradition similar to ''Dahi Handi'', called ''Makhan Handi'' (pot with freshly churned butter). Others perform folk dances at temples, sing [[bhajan]]s, visit the Krishna temples such as at the [[Dwarkadhish Temple]] or [[Nathdwara]]. In the [[Kutch district]] region, farmers decorate their bullock carts and take out Krishna processions, with group singing and dancing.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Anjali H. Desai|title=India Guide Gujarat|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gZRLGZNZEoEC&pg=PA71|year=2007|publisher=India Guide|isbn=978-0-9789517-0-2|pages=71, 76}}</ref>

The carnival-style and playful poetry and works of [[Dayaram]], a scholar of the [[Pushtimarg]] of [[Vaishnavism]], is particularly popular during Janmashtami in Gujarat and Rajasthan.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Rachel Dwyer|title=The Poetics of Devotion: The Gujarati Lyrics of Dayaram|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=u7XyeTFxY3wC |year=2001|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-7007-1233-5|pages=79–101, 119–120}}</ref>

 

 

 

 

 

Popular south Indian temples dedicated to Krishna are [[Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Mannargudi|Rajagopalaswamy Temple]] in [[Mannargudi]] in the [[Tiruvarur district]], Pandavadhoothar temple in [[Kanchipuram]], Sri Krishna temple at [[Udupi]], and the Krishna temple at [[Guruvayur]] are dedicated to the memory of Vishnu's incarnation as Krishna. Legend says that the Sree Krishna Idol installed in Guruvayur is from Dwarka which is believed to be submerged in the sea.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Manohar Laxman Varadpande |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TaF603WEv4IC&pg=PA94 |title=Krishna Theatre in India |publisher=Abhinav Publications |year=1982 |isbn=978-81-7017-151-5 |page=94 |language=en}}</ref> Varagur sri venkatesa perumal temple tanjore district of Tamil Nadu<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 March 2022 |title=Krishna Janmashtami |url=https://wellstuf.com/krishna-janmashtami/ |access-date=14 March 2022 |website=wellstuff |language=en-US}}</ref>

Janmashtami is the largest festival in the [[Braj]] region of north India, in cities such as [[Mathura]] where Hindu tradition states Krishna was born, and in [[Vrindavan]] where he grew up.<ref name="Melton2011p459" /> Vaishnava communities in these cities in [[Uttar Pradesh]], as well as others in the state, as well as locations in Rajasthan, Delhi, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himalayan north celebrate Janmashtami. Krishna temples are decorated and lighted up, they attract numerous visitors on the day, while Krishna devotees hold [[bhakti]] events and keep night vigil.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Kishore|first=B. R.|title=Hinduism|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t3WzDipk9xwC&pg=PA118|year=2001|publisher=Diamond |isbn=978-81-7182-073-3|page=118}}</ref>

In [[Jammu]], [[kite]] flying from rooftops is a part of the celebration on Krishna Janmashtami.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The Festival of Kite Flying in Jammu |url=http://www.jammu.com/jammu/fairs/kite-flying.htm |access-date=10 August 2012}}</ref>

Janmashtami is widely celebrated by Hindu Vaishnava communities of eastern and northeastern India. The widespread tradition of celebrating Krishna in these regions is credited to the efforts and teachings of 15th and 16th century [[Sankardev]]a and [[Chaitanya Mahaprabhu]]. They developed philosophical ideas, as well as new forms of performance arts to celebrate the Hindu god Krishna such as [[Borgeet]], [[Ankia Naat]], [[Sattriya]] and [[Bhakti yoga]] now popular in West Bengal and Assam. Further east, Manipur people developed [[Manipuri dance]] form, a classical dance form known for its Hindu [[Vaishnavism]] themes, and which like Sattriya includes love-inspired dance drama arts of Radha-Krishna called [[Raslila]].<ref name=lochtefeld420>{{Cite book |author=James G. Lochtefeld |title=The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: A-M |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5kl0DYIjUPgC&pg=PA376 |year=2002 |publisher=The Rosen Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-8239-3179-8 |pages=420–421}}</ref>{{Sfn|Reginald Massey|2004|p=177}}{{Sfn|Ragini Devi|1990|pp=175–180}} These dance drama arts are a part of Janmashtami tradition in these regions, and as with all classical Indian dances, their contextual roots are in the ancient Hindu Sanskrit text ''[[Natya Shastra]]'', but with influences from the culture fusion between India and southeast Asia.{{Sfn|Saryu Doshi|1989|pp=xv–xviii}}{{Sfn|Natalia Lidova|2014}}{{Sfn|Tarla Mehta|1995}}

Janmashtami is a major festival celebrated with fasts, vigil, recitation of scriptures and Krishna prayers in Manipur.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Prakasan|first=Chethana|date=19 August 2016|title=Latest travel Articles & blogs|url=https://www.india.com/travel/articles/janmashtami-celebration-in-india-how-janmashtami-is-celebrated-in-maharashtra-vrindavan-mathura-and-manipur-3232675/|access-date=10 August 2020|website=India News, Breaking News, Entertainment News {{!}} India.com|language=en}}</ref> Dancers performing [[Raslila]] are a notable annual tradition during Janmashtami in Mathura and Vrindavan.<ref>{{Cite book |editor1=Vijaya Ghose |editor2=Jaya Ramanathan |editor3=Renuka N. Khandekar |year=1992 |title=Tirtha, A Treasury of Indian Expressions |location=New Delhi |publisher=CMC |page=184 |isbn=978-81-900267-0-3 |quote=Raslila plays are specially enacted during Janmashtami and Holi festivals at Mathura, Bridavan in the Braj region.}}</ref> Children play the ''Likol Sannaba'' game in the Meetei Vaishnava community.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Naorem Sanajaoba|title=Manipur, Past and Present: The Heritage and Ordeals of a Civilization |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-CzSQKVmveUC&pg=PA284 |year=1988|publisher=Mittal |isbn=978-81-7099-853-2|pages=284–285}}</ref>

The [[Shree Govindajee Temple]] and the ISKCON temples particularly mark the Janmashtami festival.<ref name=toiassammani>[http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Janmashtami-joy-in-Assam-Manipur/articleshow/53866640.cms Janmashtami joy in Assam and Manipur], The Times of India (26 August 2016)</ref> Janmashtami is celebrated in Assam at homes, in community centers called [[Namghar]]s (Assamese: নামঘৰ), and the temples usually though Janmashtami. According to the tradition, the devotees sing the ''Nam'', perform pujas and sharing food and ''Prasada''.<ref name=toiassammani />

In the eastern state of [[Odisha]], specifically the region around [[Puri]] and in [[Nabadwip]], West Bengal, the festival is also referred to as ''Sri Krishna Jayanti'' or simply ''Sri Jayanti''.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Prabhat Mukherjee |title=The History of Medieval Vaishnavism in Orissa |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7LFzfbhmJcMC&pg=PA185 |year=1981 |publisher=Asian Educational Services |isbn=978-81-206-0229-8 |page=185}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |author=Bhakti Prajnan Yati Maharaj |year=1978 |title=Renaissance of Gaudiya Vaishnava Movement |publisher=Sree Gaudiya Math |page=260 |oclc=6199191 |quote="His Madras visit took place during the Sri Janmashtami (Sri Krishna's Advent day) ... they made an appeal to Srila Acharyadeva to visit Madras Math every year particularly during the Sri Jayanti (Janmastami)."}}</ref> People celebrate Janmashtami by fasting and worship until midnight. The ''Bhagavata Purana'' is recited from the 10th chapter, a section dedicated to the life of [[Krishna]]. The next day is called "Nanda Ucchhaba" or the joyous celebration of Krishna's foster parents [[Nanda (mythology)|Nanda]] and [[Yashoda]]. Devotees keep [[fasting]] during the entire day of Janmashtami. They bring water from [[Ganges|Ganga]] to bathe Radha Madhaba during their abhisheka [[ceremony]]. A grand abhisheka is performed at midnight for the small Radha Madha.

About eighty percent of the population of [[Nepal]] identify themselves as Hindus and celebrate Krishna Janmashtami. They observe Janmashtami by fasting until midnight. It is a national holiday in Nepal.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Krishna Janmashtami 2020: Puja Vrat Vidhi, Fasting and Significance|url=https://www.spotlightnepal.com/2020/08/10/krishna-janmashtami-2020-puja-vrat-vidhi-fasting-and-significance/|access-date=24 December 2020|website=SpotlightNepal|language=en}}</ref> The devotees recite the [[Bhagavad Gita]] and sing religious songs called bhajans and kirtans. The temples of Krishna are decorated. Shops, posters and houses carry Krishna motifs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Janmashtami in Nepal: Devotees throng magnificent Krishna Temple|url=https://www.aninews.in/news/world/asia/janmashtami-in-nepal-devotees-throng-magnificent-krishna-temple20190823182855/|access-date=10 August 2020|website=ANI News|language=en}}</ref>

Janmashtami is a [[Public holidays in Bangladesh|national holiday in Bangladesh]].<ref name="grover">{{Citation |last=Grover |first=Verinder |title=Bangladesh: Government and Politics |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=R1uTvbI84HIC&pg=PA8 |year=2000 |publisher=Deep and Deep Publications |isbn=978-81-7100-928-2 |page=8}}</ref> On Janmashtami, a procession starts from [[Dhakeshwari Temple]] in [[Dhaka]], the National Temple of Bangladesh, and then proceeds through the streets of [[Old Dhaka]]. The procession dates back to 1902, but was stopped in 1948. The procession was resumed in 1989.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Bangladesh blessings |journal=Hinduism Today |date=February 1997 |url=http://www.hinduismtoday.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=4810}}</ref>

At least a quarter of the population in [[Fiji]] practices Hinduism, and this holiday has been celebrated in Fiji since the first Indian indentured laborers landed there. Janmashtami in Fiji is known as "Krishna Ashtami". Most Hindus in Fiji have ancestors that originated from [[Uttar Pradesh]], Bihar, and [[Tamil Nadu]], making this an especially important festival for them. Fiji's Janmashtami celebrations are unique in that they last for eight days, leading up to the eighth day, the day Krishna was born. During these eight days, Hindus gather at homes and at temples with their 'mandalis,' or devotional groups at evenings and night, and recite the [[Bhagavat Purana]], sing devotional songs for Krishna, and distribute Prasadam.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mala |first=Shahani |date=6 September 2015 |title=Hindus Mark Birth of Lord Krishna |url=http://fijisun.com.fj/2015/09/06/hindus-mark-birth-of-lord-krishna |work=Fiji Sun}}</ref>

Janmashtami is celebrated by [[Hindus in Pakistan|Pakistani Hindus]] in the [[Shri Swaminarayan Mandir, Karachi|Shri Swaminarayan Mandir]] in [[Karachi]] with the singing of [[bhajans]] and delivering of sermons on Krishna.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://archives.dawn.com/archives/162125 |title=KARACHI: Janamashtami festival celebrated Jai Sri Krishna |work=Dawn |access-date=2 December 2012}}</ref> It is an optional holiday in Pakistan

Janmashtami is considered to be the date of birth of [[Jesus|Jesus Christ]].<ref name="Suryanarayan">{{Cite web|title=Tamils In Re-Union: Losing Cultural Identity – Analysis|url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/12102018-tamils-in-re-union-losing-cultural-identity-analysis/|last=Suryanarayan|first=V.|date=12 October 2018|website=Eurasia Review|language=en-US|access-date=4 March 2021}}</ref>

===Mauritius===

60% of the population is of Indian origins from Bihar  and Uttar Pradesh, the majority of which more than 80% being hindus. This has been reinforced by [[Gujarati people|Gujrati]], [[Sindhis|Sindhi]] traders plus now with foreign IT consultants from India and workers from Sri Lanka. Krishna has been revered here since the 18th century by those indentured labourers of different castes who identified themselves as Jahazi bhais. They celebrate the festival with kirtans, and sweets. Dramas, plays, and kirtans illustrating the life of Krishna are played on television.

== References ==

=== Citations ===

=== Bibliography ===

* {{Cite book |author=Saryu Doshi |title=Dances of Manipur: The Classical Tradition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xRbkAAAAMAAJ |year=1989 |publisher=Marg Publications |isbn=978-81-85026-09-1}}

* {{Cite book |author=Ragini Devi |title=Dance Dialects of India |url=https://archive.org/details/dancedialectsofi0000ragi |url-access=registration |year=1990 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-0674-0}}

* {{Cite web |author=Natalia Lidova |year=2014 |title=Natyashastra |url=https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195399318/obo-9780195399318-0071.xml |publisher=Oxford University Press |doi=10.1093/obo/9780195399318-0071 }}

* {{Citation |author=Tarla Mehta |title=Sanskrit Play Production in Ancient India |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l7naMj1UxIkC |year=1995 |publisher=Motilal Banarsidass |isbn=978-81-208-1057-0}}

* {{Cite book |author=Reginald Massey |title=India's Dances: Their History, Technique, and Repertoire |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t6MJ8jbHqIwC |year=2004 |publisher=Abhinav Publications |isbn=978-81-7017-434-9}}

 

* {{Cite web |url=https://traveltoggle.com/krishna-janmashtami-nepal/ |title=Krishna Janmashtami-celebrating the Birth of Lord Krishna – Traveltoggle |date=11 July 2021}}

== External links ==

{{Krishna}}