celebrate janmashtami

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most beloved Hindu deities. Usually falling in August or September, this joyous festival marks the midnight birth of baby Krishna in Mathura — born in a prison to parents Devaki and Vasudeva, then miraculously carried to safety in Gokul.

The festival includes fasting, midnight celebrations (since Krishna was born at midnight), singing devotional songs, decorating Krishna's cradle, and re-enacting scenes from his childhood. The Dahi Handi tradition — where teams form human pyramids to break a pot of butter hung high — celebrates young Krishna's love of stealing butter!

Make Janmashtami special for young children:

• ✓ Read Krishna stories — Share tales of baby Krishna from our illustrated books.
• ✓ Decorate a cradle — Let children decorate a small cradle for baby Krishna with flowers and cloth.
• ✓ Make butter — Simple butter-making activity connecting to Krishna the "Makhan Chor" (butter thief).
• ✓ Dress up — Children can dress as little Krishna or Radha in traditional outfits.
• ✓ Dance — Play Krishna bhajans and let children dance freely, celebrating his joyful nature.