Krishna Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. It is also known as Krishnashtami, Janmashtami, or Gokulashtami. The festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada (August–September) . Here are some key facts about the festival:

• Significance: Janmashtami commemorates the earthly appearance of 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.

• Celebrations: Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, singing, praying together, preparing and sharing special food, night vigils, and visiting Krishna or Vishnu temples. The places of Mathura and Vrindavan are visited by pilgrims. Some mandirs organize recitation of Bhagavad Gita in the days leading up to Janmashtami. On the day of the festival, devotees observe fast, wear traditional clothes, bathe and decorate Lord Krishnas idols in new clothes and jewelry, and seek blessings for the well-being of their families. People also decorate their houses with flowers and sweetmeats are first offered to the god and then distributed as prasada (the god’s leftovers, which carry his favor) to all the members of the household.

• Rituals: On the preceding day, devotees keep a vigil and fast until midnight, the traditional hour of Krishnas birth. Then the image of Krishna is bathed in water and milk, dressed in new clothes, and worshipped. Temples and household shrines are decorated with leaves and flowers. Devotees enjoy a celebratory meal after breaking the daylong fast. Scenes of Krishnas childhood are decorated with small images of the god. In the city streets, pots of milk are hung from tall poles. Men form huge human pyramids to reach and break open the pots as a representation of Krishnas childhood games.

Krishna Janmashtami is a significant festival for Hindus around the world, and it is celebrated in diverse forms depending on their regional and cultural customs.