Malta’s Hindu community comes together to celebrate Krishna Janmashtami

Hindu Association of Malta Hindu Association of Malta organized the event of Janmastami to celebrate the occasion, experiencing the vibrant cultural traditions, and sharing the festive spirit.

The event took place on the 5 September 2026 at 5pm onwards at San Gorg Preca College, Secondary School il- Liceo Wenzu Mallia Street. Hamrun.

Many devotees across the islands of Malta and Gozo came and participated enthusiastically at this event. The Hindu community living in Malta, originally from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Malta and Mauritius took part in this religious occasion.

The event started with puja (prayers) of Lord Krishna and the followed by the welcome speech of Subhas Roy, the President of Hindu Association of Malta. And then the Chief Guest Vaibhav Rana, on behalf of India in Malta - High Commission of India, Malta who joined the event and shared his thoughts to the audience.

President of Hindu Association of Malta, Subhas Roy

The Guest of Honour Prof. John Berry (Prof. Of Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology and the former Dean of the faculty of Theology at the University of Malta) for his time and share his thoughts as well. The performers from different age group, from children to adults presented various cultural programme like dances, devotional songs, interactive quiz etc. The event ended with serving ‘prasad’ (offerings to God) and Hindu vegetarian meal for everyone.

Krishna Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. The meaning of the Sanskrit word Janmashtami can be understood by splitting it into the two words, "Janma" and "Ashtami." The word "Janma" means birth and the word "Ashtami" means eight; thus, Krishna Janmashtami is the celebration of Krishna's birth on the eighth day of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) in the month of Shravana (August–September).

Krishna is the eighth son of Devaki (mother) and Vasudeva (father). Krishna was born within a prison in Mathura, India where his parents were constrained by his uncle, King Kansa. During Devaki's wedding, Kansa was warned by a celestial voice that Devaki's eighth son would be the cause of his death.

Little Krishna on his cradle

To defy this prophesy, Kansa imprisoned his sister Devaki and her husband and promptly killed the first six of her newborns after their birth. After the birth of Krishna, by some act of gods, Vasudeva managed to send Krishna across the Yamuna River to his foster parents, Yashoda (mother) and Nanda (father). This legend is celebrated on Janmashtami by people keeping fasts, singing devotional songs of love for Krishna, and keeping a vigil into the night.

Krishna Janmashtami holds significant importance to Hindus around the world, and it is celebrated in diverse forms depending on their regional and cultural customs. Hindus celebrate Janmashtami by fasting, singing, praying together, preparing, and sharing special food, night vigils, and visiting Krishna or Vishnu temples.

The places of Mathura and Vrindavan are visited by pilgrims. Some mandirs organize recitation of Bhagavad Gita in the days leading up to Janmashtami. Many northern Indian communities organize dance-drama events called Rasa Lila or Krishna Lila. After Krishna's midnight hour birth, forms of baby Krishna are bathed and clothed, then placed in a cradle. The devotees then break their fast by sharing food and sweets. People chant "Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna- Krishna Hare Hare". The Janmashtami celebration is followed by Dahi Handi, which is celebrated the next day.