Kathmandu— Followers of the Vedic Sanatana faith are celebrating Shree Krishna Janmastami across Nepal today, observing midnight rituals, fasting, and all-night vigils at temples while religious discourses and devotional singing honor the deity's teachings and divine deeds.

Festival Traditions and Religious Significance

The festival commemorates the birth of Lord Shree Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is believed to have been born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Bhadra during the Dwapara Yuga. Devotees observe a fast and maintain an all-night vigil, known as 'Moharatri,' to honor his life and teachings.

Religious discourses and devotional singing (bhajan-kirtan) are performed at temples nationwide, reflecting Krishna's role as a proponent of Gyana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga. The 'Shreemad Bhagavad Gita,' revered as the sacred scripture containing Krishna's teachings to Arjuna during the Kurukshetra battle, is central to the festival's spiritual significance.

The government has declared a public holiday for the occasion, allowing widespread participation in the celebrations.

(With inputs from RN)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.