---
title: "Shri Krishna Janmashtami"
sanskrit_name: "कृष्णजन्माष्टमी"
tithi: "Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (Rohini Nakshatra)"
canonical: "https://sattvalok.com/festivals/janmashtami"
attribution: "Source: SattvaLok (https://sattvalok.com/festivals/janmashtami)"
---

# Shri Krishna Janmashtami (कृष्णजन्माष्टमी)

> Shri Krishna Janmashtami celebrates the divine birth (Avataran) of Lord Krishna in Mathura prison to Devaki and Vasudeva on midnight of Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami under Rohini Nakshatra.

## Observance Tithi & Season
- **Tithi**: Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami (Rohini Nakshatra)
- **Season**: Varsha (Monsoon)

## Spiritual Significance
Lord Krishna's birth signifies divine grace descending into the darkest dungeon of worldly illusion (Maya) to liberate the soul.






## Scriptural & Puranic Origins

### Midnight Incarnation in Mathura Prison (Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto 10, Chapter 3))
To defeat King Kamsa and liberate earth from demonic oppression, Lord Vishnu appeared in His 4-armed form before Devaki and Vasudeva in Kamsa's dungeon at midnight, then transformed into a divine infant.

### Crossing the Raging Yamuna River to Gokul (Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto 10, Chapter 3))
Vasudeva carried infant Krishna in a basket across the flooded Yamuna River during a torrential storm, protected by the serpent Sheshanaga's hood, to Nanda Maharaj's home in Gokul.