Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of the god Krishna on the eighth (Ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada on the Hindu lunar calendar. The number eight has another significance in the Krishna legend that he is the eighth child of his mother, Devaki. This day is also known as Krishna Janmashtami, Gokulasthami, Krishnasthami, or Srijayanti. On the Gregorian calendar, the holiday takes place in August or September most of the time.