Shri Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudev, however was brought up by Yashoda and Nanda in Vrindavan. The festival generally falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha or 8th day of the dark fortnight on the month of Bhadrapad . It is said that lord Krishna was born in Mathura Prison. Therein, his life was in danger from his maternal uncle, kansa.

 The tyrant Kansa, was told by a voice in the sky that one of her children would kill him. Kansa decided to kill Devaki so that she does not give rise to any children, but Vasudeva, her husband begged Kansa to forgive Devki and promised that he will give any of her child to Kansa, so then Kansa on this assurance from Vasudev, let Devki go. He imprisoned both Devaki and Vasudeva. Kansa made sure that none of her children survived. Therefore, in order to protect lord Krishna, his father Vasudev carried him in a basket across the raging River Yamuna to Vrindavan. There Krishna was adopted and brought up by Yashoda and Nanda.Read more