Janmashtami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most beloved gods in Hinduism. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) . Here are some key facts about the festival:

• Significance: Janmashtami is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna, who is described in Indias sacred writings as God Himself. It is one of the biggest religious festivals in the world, celebrated by 930 million people around the world and 2 million in the US alone.

• Customs and Rituals: Janmashtami is celebrated with a variety of customs and rituals, including fasting, recitation of religious texts, and Krishna prayers. People visit temples to offer their prayers and seek blessings from Lord Krishna. Pots of milk are hung from tall poles in the streets, and men form human pyramids to reach and break the pots, imitating Krishnas childhood play with the cowherd boys. Devotees also enjoy a celebratory meal after breaking the daylong fast.

• Celebrations: Janmashtami is widely celebrated across India and abroad. It 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. 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. Dancers performing Raslila are a notable annual tradition during Janmashtami in Mathura and Vrindavan. Children play the Likol Sannaba game in the Meetei Vaishnava community.

• Date: Janmashtami is celebrated on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August-September) . In 2023, Janmashtami will be celebrated on September 6, 2023, and the Dahi Handi celebration will be held on September 7, 2023.

Janmashtami is an important festival in Hinduism, celebrated with great fervor and zeal across India and abroad.