Krishna Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated across Nepal today with devotion and prayers.
According to Hindu belief, Lord Krishna was born at midnight on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadra during the Dwapar Yuga. That is why this festival is called Krishna Janmashtami, and the night is also known as Moharatri.
On this day, devotees visit Krishna temples, perform prayers, listen to sermons, sing bhajans, and observe fasts. Many also stay awake throughout the night in devotion.
Lord Krishna, considered the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was born to protect humanity from injustice and evil. He guided people toward truth and good deeds. The Bhagavad Gita, which Krishna spoke to Arjuna during the Kurukshetra war, is regarded as one of the most important scriptures in the world and has been translated into many languages.
From his childhood, Krishna is remembered for his divine acts, including defeating demons like Kansa, Jarasandha, and Shishupala.
In Nepal, special celebrations take place at famous Krishna temples such as the Krishna Mandir in Patan’s Mangalbazar, Navatan Dham in Kageshwari Manohara, and ISKCON temple in Budhanilkantha. Kathmandu also sees processions, jhankis, and rath yatras organized by different religious groups.