Krishna Janmashtami

The Story

Krishna's birth at midnight in Mathura's prison to Devaki and Vasudeva, while the asura king Kamsa held them captive. Vasudeva carried the infant across the flooded Yamuna to Gokul, exchanging him with Yashoda's daughter (Yogamaya). Heralded the eventual destruction of Kamsa.

Vidhi · How It's Done

• Day-long fast (vrat) until midnight
• Decoration of Krishna's cradle (jhula) and image
• Midnight: abhishek of Krishna with panchamrit, then dressing him with new clothes; rocking the cradle
• Recitation of 10th canto (Skanda) of Bhagavata Purana — birth of Krishna
• Kirtan and bhajans through the night
• Breaking of fast at midnight (paran) with prasad — typically chappan-bhog (56 items) or simpler makhana-mishri, panchamrit
• Day 2: Dahi-handi (Govinda) — climbing pyramids to break suspended pots of curd, recreating Krishna's makhan-chori

Key Mantras

• ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
• हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे। हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे॥
• ॐ क्लीं कृष्णाय गोविन्दाय गोपीजनवल्लभाय स्वाहा

Bhog · Festival Foods

Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar) · Makhan-mishri · Dhaniya panjiri · Khir · Coconut ladoo · Chappan bhog (56 items)

Regional Variants

• · Mathura/Vrindavan: Largest celebration; janmabhoomi temple
• · Maharashtra: Dahi-handi the next day, especially in Mumbai/Pune
• · Gujarat: Makhan-handi competitions
• · South India: Sri Krishna Jayanthi; rangoli at home; small rasa lila enacted
• · ISKCON worldwide: 24-hour kirtan, midnight abhishek