Tithi 8jaya
Krishna Ashtami
कृष्ण अष्टमी
Presiding deity: Krishna / Shiva (Bhairava)
Tithi Mantra
ॐ कृष्णाय नमः
Om Krishnaya Namah
Shukla Paksha (waxing)
N/A
Krishna Paksha (waning)
Krishna Janmashtami (Bhadrapada Krishna Ashtami) — Lord Krishna's birth at midnight, one of largest Hindu festivals. Kalashtami (monthly Krishna Ashtami) = Bhairava worship. Sheetala Ashtami (Chaitra Krishna Ashtami) = goddess of pox worship.
Best for
- + Krishna janmotsav
- + Bhairava worship
- + Midnight abhishekam
- + Dahi Handi preparation
- + Kalashtami fast
Avoid for
- - Auspicious vivah
- - Travel on Sheetala Ashtami
Fasting tradition
Janmashtami — fast till midnight, break with Krishna prasad (panchamrit + makhan-mishri). Kalashtami — fast for Bhairava, light til oil lamp at sunset.
Major festivals on this tithi
Krishna Janmashtami, Kalashtami (monthly), Sheetala Ashtami, Bhishma Ashtami