Janamashtami

The janamashtami celebrations start right from the early morning with bath is sacred waters and prayers, but the climax reaches at midnight with the rising of the moon which marks the divine birth. On this auspicious day strict fast is kept and broken only after the birth of Krishna at midnight. An image of Krishnan as a child is put into a richly decorated swing and rocked with a tender care all the day by the devotees.

In Goa Janamashtami is celebrated by all Hindus. However, only some perform the puja and install the idol of Lord Krishnan in their homes. Those families that install the idol have to observe a strict fast, without lunch and dinner. They can only eat fruits and freshly cooked grams or lentils. The Gujarathi community celebrates with pomp Krishnans birth in the same way the goans would celebrate birth of lord Ganesha.

In the temple of Naroa, big celebrations are held on Janamashtami, where a big fair is put up. In panaji too, a big fair is put up on the occasion of this festival, a tradition observed even during the Portuguese regime and continues till today.