Sri Krishna Jayanthi Festival in South India

Sri Krishna Jayanthi Festival is the celebration of thehouse in Southern India to symbolize Little Krishna
birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation ofentering every room to bless it. Varieties of sweets
Lord Vishnu, on earth. He is considered to be theare made during this occasion. Among them, laddus
Lord's most glorious incarnation. Sri Krishna Jayanthi isand payasam are the most common sweets.
one of the most important Hindu festivals of India.The festival is observed by fasting on the previous
This festival is also known as Ashtami Rohini,day, which is broken only at midnight, the time when
Gokulashtami, Krishnashtami and Janmashtami inKrishna is believed to have been born. Sanskrit hymns
different parts of the country.are recited in praise of Lord Krishna during this
This festival occurs on the eight day of the dark halffestival. At Mathura in Uttar Pradesh, the birth place
of the month Shravan of the Indian calendar. Thisof Lord Krishna, special spiritual gatherings are
occurs between August and September on theorganised at this time. Pilgrims from all over India
Christian calendar. It is celebrated all over the country.attend these festive gatherings.
This year (2009) In the southern part of India,The devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate this festival
according to the calendars, Janmashtami is celebratedwith great pomp and gaiety in Krishna temples. Some
on 13th August.of the famous Krishna temples in South India are Sri
Lord Krishna's enchanting form with flute in hand isKrishna Temple at Guruvayur, Sri Krishna Temple at
worshipped in myriads of homes in India. The womenUdupi and ISKON temples.
draw patterns of little children's feet outside the