Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna. It is said that Lord Krishna was born at midnight on the ‘eighth day’ or the ‘Ashtami’ of the holy month, Shravana, according to the Hindu Lunar calendar The legend behind Lord Krishna’s birth, and his triumph over enemies, makes for one of Hindu folklore’s most loved tales, and is recited amongst the devotees with much fervor on Janmashtami. On the pious occasion devotees throng temples to offer their prayers and bhog to their beloved deity. There is also a common practice followed in most Indian household, of bathing ‘Nand Gopal’ (baby Krishna) with milk, honey and water, and dress him up in new clothes. Devotees also observe the ritualistic fasts on the holy occasion.

It is an important festival particularly to the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism.Dance-drama enactments of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana (such as Rasa lila or Krishna Lila), devotional singing through the midnight when Krishna is believed to have been born, fasting (upavasa), a night vigil (jagarana), and a festival (mahotsava) on the following day are a part of the Janmashtami celebrations.

Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festival Nandotsav, which celebrates the occasion when Nanda Baba distributed gifts to the community in honour of the birth.

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated of the 8th day of the dark half of the month of Bhadrapad (August/September). Lord Vishnu incarnated in the form of Krishna to destroy evil and wickedness and to re-establish Dharma.

The Krishna Jayanti celebrations start in the morning with fast and prayers. It reaches its climax at midnight with the rising of the moon which marks the divine birth.

The homes and the temples are decorated and scenes of Krishna’s birth is depicted through dramas; his early childhood, his pranks, his Ras Lilas, etc. At midnight, the prayers end with the Jhoola ceremony where a little Krishna is placed on the cot and devotees perform aarti, offer gifts and rock the cot with devotion.

The piety and fast observed on this day ensures the birth of good sons and salvation after death. Reading and recitation of the Bhagwatam, the Bhagwat Gita and Geet Govindam are recommended this day.

In many places, cultural programmes, kathas and discourses are held by eminent scholars and devotees takes inspiration from the teachings of Lord Krishna.

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated in all ISKCON temples around Mauritius.