The midnight birthday of little Krishna
A baby born at midnight, a river that makes way, and a pot full of butter.
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On a rainy night, at exactly midnight, baby Krishna was born in Mathura. His parents, Vasudeva and Devaki, were locked away by the unkind King Kamsa. -
To keep the baby safe, Vasudeva put him in a basket and carried him across the Yamuna river. The stories say the river gently made way for them. -
In the village of Gokul, Mother Yashoda loved Krishna very much. He grew up playful and cheeky, and he loved butter so much that he would climb up to reach the butter pots! -
Krishna played sweet music on his flute, and the cows and his friends came running to listen. He always helped his friends when they were in trouble. -
On Janmashtami, many families stay up till midnight to sing and rock a little cradle for baby Krishna. In some places, teams make a human tower to break a pot of curd!
Did you know?
“Ashtami” means “the eighth day”. Krishna was born on the eighth day after the full moon.
Something to make
Decorate a small paper cup as a butter pot (matki) with dots and lines, and hang it with a string.
This year Krishna Janmashtami is on Tuesday, 24 August 2027. Dates and timings for grown-ups
Families and regions tell these stories in different ways. This is one simple version for children.