Festivals

The major festivals connected with Shri Krishna — their meaning and how they are celebrated.

• Shri Krishna Janmashtami – The great festival of Bhagavan Shri Krishna's appearance at midnight in the prison of Mathura, celebrated across India with fasting, devotional singing and joy.
• Radha Ashtami – The appearance day of Shri Radha Rani, the beloved of Shri Krishna, celebrated fifteen days after Janmashtami with special splendour in Barsana.
• Jhulan Yatra (Hindola Festival) – The sweet monsoon festival of swinging Radha and Krishna on decorated swings, especially loved in Vrindavan and in the Pushtimarg havelis of Gujarat.
• Sharad Purnima (Raas Purnima) – The full-moon night of autumn on which, according to tradition, Bhagavan Shri Krishna performed the Maha Raas with the gopis in Vrindavan.
• Govardhan Puja and Annakut – Celebrated the day after Diwali in memory of Shri Krishna lifting Govardhan Hill to protect the people of Vraja, with a mountain of food offered to the Lord.
• Gita Jayanti – The sacred day on which, according to tradition, Bhagavan Shri Krishna spoke the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
• Holi in Braj – From the Lathmar Holi of Barsana to the flower Holi of Vrindavan and the Huranga of Dauji, the festival of colours in Braj is steeped in the love of Radha and Krishna.
• Jagannath Rath Yatra – The great chariot procession of Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra at Puri, when the Lord Himself comes out of the temple to give darshan to all.
• Kartik Month (Damodar Month) – The holy month dedicated to Bhagavan Damodar, marked by offering lamps, singing the Damodarashtakam and, towards its end, Tulsi Vivah.