Krishna Ashtami is celebrated to honour the birthday of Lord Krishna. To celebrate the birthday of this popular Hindu god, devotees flock to Krishna temples all over Nepal.

Lalitpur Valley’s Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square is the centre of the celebration of Krishna Ashtami and is thronged by a large number of devotees who gather at night to pay homage beyond mid-night. Even during the day, numbers of devotees visit the temple to pray and make offerings.

At night, devotees from everywhere gather in and around the 17th century stone temple singing praises of Lord Krishna waiting for the midnight hour. Euphoric prayers and incantations fill the air, and small oil lamps are lit as a mark of felicitation and devotion to the god.