Krishna Janmashtami 2022 will begin on
Thursday
,
18 August
and ends on
Friday
19 August
Krishna Janmashtami: According to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, which is followed in parts of India, Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, the first day of spring comes when the sun enters Aries. It is observed on the eighth tithi of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in Bhadrapada Masa.
This overlaps with August or September in the Gregorian calendar. It is an important festival, particularly in the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism. The celebrations include dance-drama enactments of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana.
Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting; singing; listening to religious sermons; doing charity work; or performing a Yajna—prayer together; preparing and sharing special food; night vigils; and visiting Krishna or Vishnu temples. Many northern Indian communities organize dance-drama events called Rasa Lila or Krishna Lila. The term “Dahi Handi” literally means “earthen pot of yogurt”.
The festival gets its name from the legend of baby Krishna, who would steal milk products out of people’s reach. The spilled contents are considered a prasada (celebratory offering) and are part of the festivities. In 2014, over 4,000 handis were hung with prizes, and numerous Govinda teams participated.
Youth groups form Govinda pathaks, which compete with each other for prize money. Gokula Ashtami (Janmashtami or Sri Krishna Jayanti) celebrates the birthday of Krishna. The festival is celebrated in the evening as Krishna was born at midnight.
In Kerala, people celebrate the festival according to the Malayalam calendar.
In Tamil Nadu, people decorate the floor with kolams (decorative patterns drawn with rice batter). In the early morning hours of the next day, Bhagavan Sree Krishna’s birth anniversary is celebrated with a lot of fanfare and joy all over India
