Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna, is a significant festival celebrated by Hindus worldwide. According to the Hindu calendar, it falls on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadra, coinciding with the Rohini Nakshatra. Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu (not Lord Shiva), is revered for his teachings of Karma Yoga as outlined in the Bhagavad Gita.
Key Aspects of Janmashtami
- Celebrations in Vrindavan: Vrindavan, where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, is a hub for Janmashtami festivities. Temples like Banke Bihari and ISKCON Vrindavan host grand celebrations with bhajans, dance dramas, and flower showers on devotees.
- Karma Yoga Teachings: Lord Krishna emphasized in the Bhagavad Gita that one's actions (karma) determine outcomes. Devotees take a vow to become true Karma Yogis, serving the world without expecting results.
- Vrindavan's Spiritual Significance: Devotees believe Lord Krishna and Radha played in Vrindavan. The Banke Bihari Temple is a major attraction, where anointing Shri Krishna and offering prayers is believed to fulfill heart's desires and solve problems.