Krishna Janmashtami is one of the most popular festivals in Hindu Religion. This day Hindus celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu. This year this auspicious day falls on the 14th of August 2009. Krishna Janmashtami is also known as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanthi or simply Janmashtami. In Mumbai and Pune this festival is also referred to as Dahi Handi. This festival is observed on the eighth day, Ashtami tithi, of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Shravan in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra is ascendant. It is believed that Krishna was born on Wednesday,the eighth day of second fortnight in the month of Shravana in Mathura around 3228 BC in Dwapur Yug. The main objective of Lord Krishna's birth was to re-establish righteousness and to restore peace on Mother Earth from the demons. On the day of Krishna Janmashtami Hindu houses are beautifully decorated by women and sweets like Shrikhand, Pedhas, Kheer and other special recipes are made and offered to the lord. Many Devotees fast for the entire day and break it after the birth of Lord Krishna at midnight. Some people do not take even water during the time. People also make child footprint marks using some flour mixed with water in the entire house and sing bhajans, chant Shri Krishna Mantras, the 108 names of Lord Krishna and Bhagavatam. Plays depicting the various events in the life of Lord Krishna are also part of the festival. Krishna is worshipped and prayed on the entire day and offerings of butter, sweets and flowers are made. The worship concludes with Aarti at midnight and the ritual of the murti of the Lord is rocked in a beautifully decorated cradle.
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