‘Shree Krishna Janmashtami’ Festival Being Observed Nationwide Today

Kathmandu: Followers of the Vedic Sanatan religion across the country are observing the ‘Shree Krishna Janmashtami’ festival today with devotion and reverence by worshipping Lord Shree Krishna.

On the occasion of Janmashtami, celebrated as the birth anniversary of Lord Shree Krishna, large crowds of devotees gather at Krishna temples throughout the nation. Devotees visit the temples early in the morning to offer prayers, worship, and pay their respects.

According to religious beliefs, Lord Shree Krishna was born to Vasudeva and Devaki in a prison in Mathura on the eighth day of the dark fortnight (Bhadra Krishna Ashtami) in the month of Bhadra. It is believed that Shree Krishna took birth as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu to free the world from the tyranny of Kansa.

Janmashtami is also known by various names such as Gokulashtami, Shree Krishna Jayanti, and Shree Jayanti. On this occasion, devotional singing (bhajan-kirtan), worship, and religious rituals are specially organized in Krishna temples.

Lord Shree Krishna is invoked by various names, including Govinda, Kanha, Kanhaiya, Muralimanohar, Shyamsundar, and Makhanchor. It is religiously believed that Shree Krishna delivered messages of karma, dharma, and duty through his teachings to Arjuna in the Mahabharata and through the Bhagavad Gita.

On this day, special worship and religious programs are held at Krishna temples across various parts of Nepal. The Krishna Temple in Patan also sees a significant turnout of devotees for special prayers and homage on the occasion of Janmashtami.