Ashtami or Astami is the eighth day in each fortnight of every Hindu month. This day is considered as inauspicious as per some Hindu calendars. New ventures, businesses, programs, functions or any other auspicious deeds are avoided during Ashtami days. Here is the list of Ashtami dates in 2010:
Ashtami dates in January 2010:
- January 8, 2010
- January 23, 2010 – Bhishmashtami (Shani Ashtami)
Ashtami dates in February 2010:
- February 6, 2010 (Shani Ashtami)
- February 22, 2010
Astami March 2010 dates:
- March 8, 2010 – Sheetalashtami or Sheetala Ashtami
- March 23, 2010 – Durgashtami during Chaitra Navratri or Ashokashtami in Orissa
Astami dates in April 2010:
- April 7, 2010
- April 22, 2010
Ashtami May 2010 dates:
Astami June 2010 dates:
- June 5, 2010 (Shani Ashtami)
- June 19, 2010 (Shani Ashtami)
Ashtami July 2010 dates:
- July 4, 2010
- July 19, 2010
Ashtami August 2010 dates:
- August 3, 2010
- August 17, 2010
Astami September 2010 dates:
- September 1, 2010 – Krishnashtami 2010 or Janmashtami (Krishna Janmashtami for Smarta people)
- September 2, 2010 – Gokulashtami 2010 (Janmashtami for Vaishnava sect)
- September 15, 2010
Ashtami October 2010 dates:
- October 1, 2010
- October 15, 2010 – Durgashtami 2010
- October 30, 2010 – Ahoi Ashtami 2010 (Shani Ashtami)
Ashtami November 2010 dates:
- November 14, 2010 – Gopashtami 2010
- November 29, 2010 – Kala Bhairavashtami 2010 or Mahakal Bhairav Jayanti
Astami December 2010 dates:
- December 13, 2010
- December 28, 2010
Bhishmashtami, Chaitra Durgashtami or Ashokashtami, Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami or Janmashtami, Gopashtami, Sheetalashtami, Ahoi Ashtami, Jyeshtashtami, Kalabhairavashtami or Mahakal Bhairo Astami are some festivals celebrated on Ashtami days. Ashtami which falls on Shanivar or Saturdasy is also considered auspicious.
Gokulashtami or Gokul Ashtami, popularly known as Janmashtami or Sri Krishna Jayanti, celebrates the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna. In 2009, the date of Gokulashtami is August 14. Gokulashtami is celebrated with great fervor in India. In South India it is celebrated in a spectacular way.
In South Indian states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh, various temples of Sri Krishna celebrate the fest with utmost devotion. Not only Krishna mandirs, all Vaishnava temples consider the festival as a major one.
Udupi Sri Krishna Temple and Guruvayur Guruvayurappa Temple:
Udupi Sri Krishna temple in Karnataka and Guruvayur Guruvayurappa temple in Kerala are the most predominant temples of Sri Krishna in modern times. In Udupi and Guruvayur, Janmashtami festival brings out all the joy and devotion from devotees. In ISKCON Temples in Bangalore and Hyderabad, Gokulashtami celebrations provide a spectacular look and feel.
In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, various rituals and celebrations are arranged during the festival. Gopalkala and Dahi Handi (Utti) are the main events during Krishna Janmashti.
Sri Krishna Janmashtami or Krishnashtami, also known as Gokulashtami, is the birthday of one of the most popular deities of Hinduism, Lord Sri Krishna. Janmashtami 2010, popularly known as Krishnashtami, date is September 1, 2010. Smartha Sects celebrate the Janmashtami in 2010 on September 1 and Vaishnava sects celebrate the Krishnashtami 2010 or Gokulashtami in 2010 on September 2.
Lord Krishna was born on the Astami thithi (eighth day) in Krishna paksha during the month of Shravan (August – September). Lord Krishna’s Nakshatra or the birth star is Rohini. The main objective or the aim of Krishna’s birth was to demolish the demon Kansa and his evil acts. Kansa is Krishna’s maternal uncle.
Image source: Exotic indian art
