Janmashtmi

Janmashtmi comes in the month of sharavana. It is a eighth day of month when lord Krishna birth take place in the avatar of lord Vishnu. It is an important day for Hindus. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star). Sri Krishna was born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and atrocities of his maternal uncle, Kansa. it is only at midnight between the first and the second day that birth of Sri Krishna took place. The actual festivities begin during midnight in this 48 hour period. The festival of janmashtami is considered very pious day by hindus.
In 2010, the date of Janmashtami and North India is September 2 and in other parts it is on September1.The Smarta Tradition observes the festival on September 1 and the Vaishnava Tradition on September 2. The idol of lord is bathed with Panchamrit (A mixture of milk, ghee, oil, honey and Gangajal). The Panchamrit is later distributed as Prasad to the devotees along with other sweets. While some Fast on the first day and break it at midnight for others the fasting continues for both days. Lot of bhajan kirtan hyms chanting and pooja are performed on this day. Devotees visit temples to seek the blessing of lordkishna. A good way is to recite the 108 names of lord Krishna.