Krishna Janmashtami (Krishna Jayanti) Aug. 30
Of the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, Vishnu is seen as the preserver and protector of creation. Vishnu is believed by Hindus to have many avatars (or incarnations). One of these avatars, Krishna, is one of the most popular Hindu gods, and his birthday, August 30 (though dates may vary in different regions), is a significant Hindu religious festival.
According to Krishna.com, it is celebrated by almost 1 billion people worldwide, and over 2 million people in the United States. The festival is celebrated with song and prayer:
“Some devotees cook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called abhisheka."