Krishna Janmashtami

Lord Krishna is beyond birth and death. He is present at all times, at all places, within and without all beings, living and non living.

Krishna Janmashtami or Gokula Ashtami as it is also known, marks the day that He revealed his form to those on earth. Krishna avtar's purpose during the Dwaapara Yuga was to show that He is devoted to his true devotees and that He would destroy those who tread the path of adharma.

Krishna is the 8th avtar among the Dashavtar of Vishnu.

He is the 8th son born to Devaki and Vasudev.

He was born on the 8th day in the month of Shraavan.

He was 8 years old when He killed his evil uncle Kamsa and released His parents from prison.

He had 8 wives known as 'Ashta Mahishi' which included Rukmini, Satyabhama, Mitravinda and others.

Other than them he married 16100 women whom he released from an evil king's captivity. 1+6+1+0+0 adds up to 8 again!

Madhwacharya, during his avtar in Kaliyuga consecrated the Krishna's beautiful idol at Udupi and created 8 Mathas to perform pooja to Krishna in turns.

From what I heard, there are more '8's associated with the Krishna avtar but I can only recollect these many.

Interestingly, my father was named after Krishna as he was the 8th born child to his parents! Now, naming the 8th child...... That's something we may not see in our generation :)