KATHMANDU: Krishna Janmashtami -- an important festival that falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Krishna Pakshya in the month of Bhadra -- is being celebrated across the country today by people from the Hindu community.

On this day, Hindus celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, who is considered the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu.

It is believed that Krishna -- biological son of Devaki and Vasudeva, raised by Yashoda and Nanda Baba -- killed the ruthless King Kansa, who was his maternal uncle. According to the Hindu belief, by doing so Krishna saved the people of Mathura.

Revellers observe Krishna Janmashtami by fasting, visiting Krishna temples, and worshipping the deity at home with offerings of flowers, fruits, sweets, among other items.

Lord Krishna is believed to be an epitome of tact and strength. He is also the source of Bhagawad Geeta. He is known to have given Arjuna the divine knowledge on the battlefield (Kurukshetra), where the Pandavas and Kauravas fought the great war to re-establish truth and justice.

Meanwhile, Gaura festival is also being observed in the Far-Western region today. The festival begins from Bhadra Krishna Panchami of the Nepali calendar and lasts for four days. On the first day, idols of Gaura are established at a field and adorned with jewellery. The idol which is the representation of Goddess Parvati is then brought to the residence of locals in a procession. Deuda songs and dances are the main attraction of the festival.

On the occasion of both festivals, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has extended his best wishes -

सुदूर पश्चिममा मनाइने गौरा पर्वका अवसरमा समस्त दिदीबहिनी तथा दाजुभाईहरुमा सुस्वास्थ्य, दीर्घायु तथा उत्तरोत्तर प्रगतिको हार्दिक शुभकामना व्यक्त गर्दछु । साथै कर्मयोगका प्रवर्तक श्रीकृष्णको आज जन्मदिन, श्रीकृष्ण जन्माष्टमीको अवसरमा हार्दिक मंगलमय शुभकामना व्यक्त गर्दछु ।

— KP Sharma Oli (@PM_Nepal) August 23, 2019

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