Janmashtami, the festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth and most revered incarnation of Lord Vishnu, was celebrated with immense joy, fervour, and devotion worldwide on Monday, August 26. The festivities, filled with devotion and enthusiasm, extended across major Hindu temples and continued well past midnight—the time believed to mark Lord Krishna’s birth around 5300 years ago in Mathura.
Lord Krishna is considered the supreme incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Janmashtami is celebrated annually on the Ashtami, or the eighth day, of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Bhadrapada, which typically falls between mid-August and early September on the Gregorian calendar. This festival is one of the most significant in the Hindu tradition, where devotees observe fasts until midnight, engage in prayers, sing bhajans, and dance in honour of Lord Krishna.
In Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, tens of thousands of devotees’ flock to temples, eager to catch a glimpse of the deity and receive his blessings. For decades, the celebration of Janmashtami has also flourished in the global Indian diaspora, with Lord Krishna’s presence felt wherever Indians have settled.Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has played a crucial role in spreading Krishna consciousness worldwide, attracting followers from diverse communities beyond Hinduism. The universal message of Lord Krishna—spreading love and practicing good karma—resonates with people across various cultures and religions, contributing to the festival’s widespread acceptance.
Grand celebrations took place in cities and towns across India, and reports of divine festivities poured in from around the globe. In New Zealand, Janmashtami was observed with great enthusiasm in all Hindu temples across Auckland and in many other towns. Devotees engaged in singing bhajans, chanting mantras, offering Bhog (divine food), and dancing in front of Lord Krishna, continuing their celebrations until his birth at midnight. After offering their fast to Krishna, devotees broke it, marking the end of the festivities well past midnight.
A focal point of these jubilant celebrations in New Zealand was the Bharatiya Mandir in Sandringham, Auckland’s oldest Hindu temple. Approximately 3,000 people visited the Mandir on this auspicious occasion. Long queues formed as devotees patiently waited for their turn to offer prayers to Lord Krishna. As is tradition, several cultural programs were organized, providing devotees with an evening of spiritual and cultural enjoyment. The children from the Bharatiya Mandir-run Bal Vikas classes delivered remarkable performances, captivating the audience in the Mandir’s main hall. Children as young as three to twelve years old participated, their performances receiving widespread appreciation from the packed hall.
At the stroke of midnight, when the birth of Lord Krishna was celebrated, around 300 devotees hailed and sang the glories of Lord Krishna, rejoicing with great happiness. The community feast, known as Maha Prasad, was served to everyone who visited the Mandir, extending the joyous atmosphere until well after midnight. The festivities concluded on a joyful note, leaving devotees uplifted and spiritually fulfilled.
The celebration of Janmashtami in New Zealand was a testament to the enduring devotion and vibrant cultural heritage of the Indian community, bringing together people of all ages to honour and celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. -Yugal Parashar