Sri Krishna Janmashtami is the eighth night of the dark half of Shravana. Karnataka's celebration centres on Udupi, where the child Krishna has been worshipped for eight centuries. Arghya is offered at midnight. Next day is Vittal Pindi: a clay image of Krishna is drawn round the car street in a golden chariot, pots of curd are broken overhead, and troupes of men painted as tigers dance through the town.
The story
The image at Udupi was found by Madhvacharya in a lump of sandal clay from a ship he had saved from a storm. It faces west, and is seen through a window of nine holes; the saint Kanakadasa, kept outside for his caste, is said to have sung until the image turned to him.
At home the day is a child's: small footprints are drawn at the door, and plates of chakkuli, kodubale and sweets are laid before a cradle.
ಕೃಷ್ಣಾ ನೀ ಬೇಗನೆ ಬಾರೋ
Krishna, come quickly
Vyasatirtha
How it is kept
- Fast and arghyaA fast until moonrise or midnight, then the offering of water to Krishna and the Moon.
- TindiChakkuli, tengolu, kodubale, unde and avalakki.
- Muddu KrishnaSmall children are dressed as Krishna, with flute and peacock feather.
- Mosaru kudikeThe breaking of the curd pots.
- Huli VeshaThe tiger dance of the coast.
Why this date
Krishna Janmashtami is the Ashtami of the dark half of Shravana, on the day it covers midnight. Udupi follows the solar month of Simha and can keep it on a different day.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami in other years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday | |
| 2027 | Tuesday | |
| 2028 | Sunday | |
| 2029 | Friday | |
| 2030 | Tuesday | |
| 2031 | Saturday |
More Kannada festivals
13 AugustVaramahalakshmi Vrataವರಮಹಾಲಕ್ಷ್ಮಿ ವ್ರತ
4 SeptemberGowri Ganesha Habbaಗೌರಿ ಗಣೇಶ ಹಬ್ಬ
17 AugustNoola Hunnimeನೂಲ ಹುಣ್ಣಿಮೆ
7 OctoberDurgashtamiದುರ್ಗಾಷ್ಟಮಿ
18 JulyGuru Purnimaಗುರು ಪೂರ್ಣಿಮೆ
8 OctoberMahanavami and Ayudha Pujaಮಹಾನವಮಿ · ಆಯುಧ ಪೂಜೆ
Where to see Sri Krishna Janmashtami
In Karnataka
- Sri Krishna Matha, UdupiKarnatakaThe midnight arghya, and Vittal Pindi the next afternoon.
- ISKCON, Rajajinagar, BengaluruKarnatakaThe hill temple draws lakhs through the day and night.
- MelukoteKarnatakaCheluvanarayana's hill, with its own celebration.
Across India
- GuruvayurKeralaThe other temple of the child Krishna on the west coast.
- MathuraUttar PradeshThe birthplace, with the midnight bathing of the infant.
- MumbaiMaharashtraDahi Handi and its human towers.