Janmashtami, Hindu festival celebrating the birth (janma) of the god Krishna on the eighth (ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September). The number eight has another significance in the Krishna legend in that he is the eighth child of his mother, Devaki.On the auspicious occasion, people enact dance-dramas based on the life of Krishna according to Bhagavata Purana, sing devotional songs throughout midnight and fast through the day. The most noteworthy celebrations take place in Mathura and Vrindavan, besides other parts of the country.Krishna Janmashtami is also known as ‘Krishnashtami’, ‘Ashtami Rohini’, ‘Srikrishna Jayanti’ and ‘Sree Jayanthi’.