Janmasthami

Janmashtami also known as Krishna Jayanti is the joyful celebration of the birth of Hindu God Krishna. He is the most venerable Hindu god. The celebration is depend on the stars and may be celebrate on two different days. Mainly Janmashtami falls in between the month of August and September. The birth of Sri Krishna was in the midnight therefore, the celebrations starts at midnight. Though the preparation starts from couple of days ago but the actual festivities begin during in this the midnight with chanting of mantras, hymns, and blowing conch taking place. the idol of Krishna is bathed in fluid knows as ‘Panchamrit’, which is a mixture of milk, ghee, oil, honey and Ganga jal(water). That water is later distributed to devotees as a sacred offering with other sweets. The period concurs with rainy season. Krishna is believed an incarnation of Vishnu who is considered as the highest god and all the divinities are reflection of him. Krishna in Hindu mythology is popular as a warrior, hero, teacher and philosopher. Hindus sacred book ‘Bhagvad Gita’ is the revelation of ultimate reality of Krishna’s philosophy. Krishna is the god of joy at all levels, he is perhaps the only god in Indian pantheon who is linked with so many romantic tales. He is the only perhaps the only god who has so many Aficionado from all the world. Importance of Krishna in Hindu pantheon is huge so the birth celebration is also a big event for Hindus. The celebration last for 48 hours and people just engrossed in Krishna bhakti, they fast for the whole day, sing devotional songs and relinquish sleep. At the midnight people serve milk and curd to Krishna, which is supposed to be the the favorite food of him. Girls and women dance and sing and act in a play that enact the Krishna’s early life.

Religious Significance Krishna is the name associated with soul of million of Hindus all over the world. He is the incarnation of supreme divine Vishnu. People believed that he was born to free earth from evildoers. He played a pivotal role in the epic Mahabharata and spreading the theory of bhakti and the karma(effects of a person's actions that determine their fate in this life and the next incarnation). The famous preaching of Krishna to Arjun in the war front of Mahabharata become the sacred book of Hindus. There is a strange but interesting story associated with Shri Krishna’s birth. There was a wicked king Kansa ruled Mathura. People were utterly unhappy with his deeds and pray to god. God Vishnu decided to take birth in human form to demolish the evil Kansa and other demons. At the wedding of sister Devki, heavenly voice proclaimed that wight child of his sister will take birth to kill him. Kansa with his evil mind rushed to kill his sister but her husband assure that he will give all his children to him. The Kansa killed all of six infants but seventh and eighth children survived. In Hindus this mythological tale has a huge importance. Janmasthami In Indian States In Mathura- The birth place of Krishna is of obvious reason famous for Janmasthami. The city is about 145 kms from Delhi. The day whole of Mathura decorated in a festive look and people are purely in a devotional mood. The main celebration take place in the main birth place, which is now a temple known as Krishna janma bhoomi. The best thing of celebration is the Rasleelas that is a kind of dance drama that are performed in almost every part of the city. Apart from that ‘jhankis’ depicts the various stages of life of Lord Krishna right from the childhood. Another important feature of celebration is almost in the courtyard of every house and temple, people put swings that are beautifully decorated with flowers to lord Krishna’s birth. In Vrindavan - The place is 15 kms from Mathura and important pilgrimage. It is a home of about 5000 temples both ancient and modern. Vrindavan is the place wher Lord Krishna shaped his life. The ambiance of town is holy and people here are devotional. The place is known as the playground of Krishna where he frolicked with the girls. During Janmasthami, the whole town is decorated and almost in every house people fast and observe the festival with pomp and splendor. In Dwarka - Dwarka is the city of salvation made up of Krishna and his elder brother Balram. It is located in Gujarat and very popular city for Krishna bhakti. After Krishna’s death the city is said to submerged in the sea. Devotees from all over India jam the city and pay their homage at Dwarkadish temple. Dwarkadish is another name of Krishna who is adorned with precious jeweleries like gold, diamonds and topaz. blic square, open grounds and streets. In ISKCON - ISKCON is an acronym of International Society Of Krishna Consciousness. The society was founded by swami Prabhupada In 1965, with its headquarter in New York. In India ISCKON has widely ramified in different states. Janmasthami is celebrated in ISCKON in much glorious way. An offering of 108 dishes serve to Krishna at midnight and thereafter it has been distributed to devotees. The whole of ISCKON temples reverberate with chanting of ‘Hare Rama Hare Krishna’. The atmosphere is stunning and unique. In Maharashtra – Janmasthami day is specially renowned for ‘Dahi Handi’ ritual. People hang an earthen pot filled up with curd and milk and young boys in the form pyramid try to break the pot. It is followed by prize distribution ceremony. It is said that broken piece of pot help to remove negative vibes from the house. Do not forget to visit the beautiful temples of Vrindavan. Temples in Vrindavan epitomize modern temple architecture of India. Mayapur in West Bengal is the head quarter of ISCKON in India. if you are planning to visit any ISCKON society, do not forget to sneak at Mayapur. Participate in breaking local ‘Dahi Handi’ ritual. It is a pure fun and not to be missed.