– The name "Janmashtami" means "eighth night" in Sanskrit. It refers to the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada.
– The day of Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, which means "the eighth day of Gokul". Gokul was the village where Krishna was born.
– The birth of Krishna is celebrated with great joy and enthusiasm. In some parts of India, there are large processions and fairs held to mark the occasion.
– The main ritual of Janmashtami is the installation of a murti (idol) of Krishna in a temple or home. The murti is bathed, dressed, and decorated with flowers.
– Devotees offer prayers and offerings to the murti. They also sing bhajans (devotional songs) and listen to stories about Krishna.
– In some parts of India, a pot of curd (dahi-handi) is hung from a high place. A group of people then form a human pyramid to break the pot. This is said to symbolize Krishna's stealing of butter as a child.
– Janmashtami is a time for Hindus to come together to express their love and devotion to Krishna. It is also a time to celebrate the victory of good over evil.
– The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) celebrates Janmashtami with great fanfare. The organization holds large festivals with music, dance, and food.
– In some parts of India, Janmashtami is celebrated as a public holiday. Schools and businesses are closed, and people take the day off to celebrate.
– Janmashtami is a popular time for couples to get married. It is believed that marriages performed on this day are blessed with happiness and prosperity.