The festival of Shree Krishna Janmashtami, celebrated annually on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Bhadra, has seen a significant influx of devotees at Krishna temples across the country since early morning.
In Patan, the renowned Krishna Temple in Mangal Bazaar and the Navatan Dhama in Gothatar, Kageshwori Manohara Municipality-8, have witnessed large crowds of worshippers. Similarly, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple in Budhanilkantha, Northern Kathmandu, is also bustling with devotees.
Kathmandu’s key pilgrimage sites, including the Krishna temples at Pashupatinath and the Krishna Temple in the Basantapur Durbar Square, are filled with devotees. Temples scattered throughout the Kathmandu Valley, including those dedicated to Narayan and Lakshmi Narayan, are also experiencing a surge in visitors. Followers of Vedic Sanatan Dharma are observing the day with fervent worship and devotion, celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna.
The festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna, who is revered as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The day, known as Shree Krishna Janmashtami, is celebrated with religious fervor, with devotees participating in rituals, listening to discourses, singing devotional hymns, and keeping vigil throughout the night, referred to as ‘Maharatri’.
Lord Krishna, believed to have incarnated to protect humanity from injustice and demonic forces, is celebrated for his role in guiding humanity towards righteousness. His teachings, notably those imparted to Arjuna during the Kurukshetra War, are documented in the Bhagavad Gita—a revered scripture considered to be one of the most translated texts globally.
In addition to temple worship, the festival is marked by various religious organizations in Kathmandu organizing processions and chariot parades, which typically take place the day after Janmashtami. According to Dr. Devmani Bhattarai, a member of the Nepal Panchang Determination Committee, these processions celebrate Krishna’s birth with joyous festivities.
The celebration of Shree Krishna Janmashtami continues to unite communities, honoring the divine legacy of Lord Krishna and his enduring influence on moral and spiritual values.
