Krishna-Janmashtami (The Religious festival of Nepal)

Photo on Flickr : whl.travel

Lord Krishna, the dark god who taught warrior Arjuna the value of Karma in the Bhagwad Gita, was born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark moon of August.  Krishna- Janmasthami is the day to celebrate the birthday of Krishna. In Nepal, the great Lord Krishna is one of the most adored of deities. The stories of his miraculous birth, fabulous childhood, endless romances and many deeds of valour have sunk deep into the imaginations and hearts of the Nepalese people.

One of the main public celebrates of this festival is held at Patan Durbar Square. On this evening, women throng to cover the great temple of Krishna in Patan and keep vigil though the glorious night of Lord’s birth.

Crowds of men and women edge their way slow up narrow steps through the seated deities to the temple’s dark interior and along the second floor balcony to where the main Krishna idol stands. They offer flowers, food and coins while an old temple priest gives them a tika on the forehead as a blessing from Lord Krishna. The day of Krishna’s birth is acclaimed by Nepalese people throughout the land.

Source: Nepal Traveller