01
A prophecy in Mathura
King Kamsa heard that the eighth child of his sister Devaki and Vasudeva would end his tyranny. Out of fear, he imprisoned them and tried to stop the Lord's plan.
Sri Sri Radha Bankebihari TempleKrishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami
The Lord Appears
The biggest celebration of the year at ISKCON Nairobi, honouring the divine appearance of Lord Krishna with worship, kirtan, drama, service, and prasadam.
Festival of Krishna's appearance
The night when hope entered the prison of Mathura
Janmashtami remembers the moment Lord Krishna appeared to protect the devotees and draw the world back to love of God. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, His birth is not an ordinary event. It is a divine appearance, filled with purpose, compassion, and the promise that dharma can be restored even in the darkest hour.
Biggest celebration of the year
Biggest temple celebration of the year
Fasting and special worship
Midnight appearance programme
Family friendly engagement
Backstory
From Kamsa's fear to Vrindavan's joy
02
Krishna appears at midnight
On the dark eighth night of the month of Bhadra, Lord Krishna appeared in the prison cell, first revealing His divine form before becoming a beautiful child.
03
The journey to Gokula
By Krishna's arrangement, the prison doors opened. Vasudeva carried the Lord across the Yamuna to Gokula and placed Him under the care of Nanda Maharaja and Mother Yashoda.
04
Vrindavan awakens
The child Krishna grew in Vraja, enchanting everyone with His flute, protecting the devotees, and revealing that divine love is the highest treasure.
Devotional engagement
A festival that involves the whole community
Janmashtami is designed for participation. Devotees do not simply watch the festival; they sing, serve, decorate, cook, welcome guests, sponsor offerings, and bring family and friends into Krishna's celebration.
Kirtan throughout the day
Devotees gather for holy name chanting, bhajans, and festival kirtan leading into the midnight celebration.
Midnight arati and darshan
The temple mood rises toward the sacred moment of Krishna's appearance with worship, lamps, and special darshan.
Classes and drama
Talks, readings, children's presentations, and drama help the whole family enter the story of Krishna's birth.
Offerings and prasadam
Devotees prepare offerings for the Lord and share sanctified vegetarian prasadam after the festival programme.
Festival seva
Service teams help with garlands, cooking, cleaning, guest care, crowd flow, media, and many practical festival needs.
Community celebration
Families, students, guests, and friends fill the temple in one of the most joyful devotional gatherings of the year.
Plan around the festival
Come early, serve deeply, stay for the midnight celebration
The detailed yearly programme is announced closer to the date through the temple noticeboard and official channels.
Festival sponsorship and volunteer service help welcome every guest with care and prasadam.