Shri Krishna Janmasthami (Gokulastami) Festival Date in 2014.. Dahi Handi Celebrations in Mumbai on the Birthday of Lord Krishna.

Sri Krishna Janmasthami is an Indian Festival which is being celebrated on the occasion of birth of  Sri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Evey year, according to the Lunar calander this festival is celebrated on the Asthami(Eight Day) of the dark half of the month of Shravan(August/September). This famous festival is aslo known as "Krishnasthami", "Janmasthami", "Gokulasthami" and "Sri Krishna Jayanthi".

This year 2014, The Lord Sri Krishna Janmastami will be celebrated on the auspicious day August 18, 2014(Monday).

About Lord Sri Krishna(in brief):

Lord Sri Krishna was the eight son of King Vasudeva and Devaki and was born in the Rohini star on the day of Asthami of dark night of the month Sravanam. Among all Ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, Lord Sri Krishna Avatar itself only called as "PARAMATMA(పరమాత్మ)" Swarupam(avatar) . The Lord incarnated on this earth to protect Dharma and Vanquish Evil.

Special Prayers to Lord Sri Krishna:

During the festival day, devotees offer special prayers to Lord Sri Krishna in various forms. They enchant "Bhagavat Gita Slokas", Observe Fast till midnight, perform special pujas, Bhajans, singing devotional songs and more. 

Devotees decorate their houses with footprints of a child symbolically signifies the Lord Krishna childhood game of stealing butter from house.

" Hare Krishna Hare Krishna "

" Krishna Krishna Hare Hare "

" Hare Rama Hare Rama "

" Rama Rama Hare Hare "

The Festival has Different Names at different places across India:

Sri Krishna Gokulasthami is popularly known as "Dahi Handi" in Mumbai and Pune. "Handi" means "Clay Pot". The Handi is filled with water/coconut water(Nariyal) and positioned at a comfortable height. The topmost person on the human pyramid tries to break the Handi by hitting it with a blunt stick.

• In Manipur, Janmasthami is known as "Krishna Janma".

• In Jammu, the important part of this festival is "Kite Flying".

• Janmasthami is a national holiday in the country of Bangladesh.

Special Poojas/rituals are being performed to Lord Sri Krishna especially in all ISKCON temples and other important temples such as Uttarpradesh Mathura, Gokul and Vrindavan and Dwaraka in Gujarath.