KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI 2020
Janmashtami 2020: All About the Grand Celebration of Lord Krishna’s Birth
India is the land of festivals and
Janmashtami is one of the most popular and vibrant among all. It is an annual
Hindu celebration held during the monsoons. Krishna Janmashtami, Krishnashtami,
Sri Krishna Jayanti, Gokulashtami, or simply Janmashtami commemorates the birth
of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This makes the
day a landmark for followers of the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism.
The day
is celebrated with great zeal, and people, from the children to the elderly,
revel in joy on this day. Animated rituals, extravagant decorations, and prayer
offerings are among the characteristics of the Janmashtami celebration.
Krishna Jayanthi, one of the biggest festivals
celebrated all over India. Birth of Shri Krishna is considered as descending of
Lord Vishnu himself on Earth. Krishna is known for his mischievousness,
romantic lover, saviour of Dharma, author and narrator of one of the greatest
Indian scriptures BhagavatGita.
In the
mid night of ashtami (8th day of krishnapaksha) in the month Shravana
(July-August) Lord Krishna was born. He was then given the name of Sri Krishna,
and his story is recorded in the famous work of the Hindus known as Bhagavatam.
Son of King Vasudev and Devaki was born to rid the world of the wicked, he was secretly brought up
by the chief of the Yadavas(cowherds) – Nanda and Yashoda to whom he was taken
since his uncle Kamsa considered him an enemy and wanted to get rid of him as
soon as he was born, by putting him to death.
This
auspicious day is called Janmashtami, people celebrate his birth by singing
songs, Bhajans, play Krishna Leela. In Mathura and Brindavan, the celebrations
of Krishna Janmashtami are very grand. Lord Krishna is said to be the powerful
incarnations of Lord Vishnu who came to earth to end the rule of injustice and
adharma. In North India, breaking of Dahi Handi is very popular. On Krishna
Jayanthi, children in the house are dressed as little Krishna who steals butter
with his friends. An elaborate puja is done in temples and households to Lord
Krishna late in the evening. On that day, the people of the households prepare
foods that are his favorite and are given as nivedhanam.
Gokulashtami
Menu - Uppu seedai, Vella seedai, Coconut seedai, Appam, Murukku, Thenkuzhal,
Mullu murukku, Thattai, Ribbon Pakoda, Aval payasam.
Why do we celebrate it?
As per the Hindu calendar, Lord Krishna was
born on Ashtami (8th day of the month) of Krishna Paksha (the period of fading
moon) in the holy month of Shraavana. He was the eighth son of Vasudeva and
Devaki, the sister of Mathura’s brutal king Kansa. When Kansa learned about the
prophecy that Devaki’s eighth son would be the cause of his death, he locked up
both Vasudeva and Devaki in a prison cell. Each of their children met with the
same fate: death in the hands of Kansa.
This was until their eighth son was born. As
per the instructions of a divine voice, Devaki carried Krishna on his head and
walked all the way from Mathura to Vrindavan which was to be a safe haven for
the newborn child. Yashoda and Nand took care of Krishna during his childhood
days in Vrindavan. Krishna’s acts of mischief and heroism, his encounter with
Kansa and other monsters, his fame as Makhanchor (one who steals butter), etc.
are popular across the country.
Janmashtami is observed all over the country
and even outside the country. Several places in Malaysia, Canada, and even
Paris celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth with an equal amount of enthusiasm.
Days
before the actual Muharat (the most auspicious moment marking the start of an
activity), you would find markets bustling with shopkeepers and buyers haggling
over heaps of tinsels, redolent flowers, lights, peacock feathers, and other
decorative items.
Devotional
songs—sometimes Bollywood ones too like Go Go Go Govinda—start blaring through
the speakers. People get busy with house decorations, arrangements of the puja
space, and preparation of Makhan (white butter). They also make an assortment
of delectable prasads (sweetmeats that are devotional
offerings) like peda, malpua, panjiri, etc. for the Puja day.
Fasting
Women
draw tiny footprints on the floor of their house to show that the Lord has
walked into the abode and showered his blessings on its inhabitants. On the day
of Janmashtami, devotees also hold fast that can be broken only when Ashtami
Tithi and Rohini Nakshatra are over the next day. This is the nirjala fast.
Devotees may also decide upon a phallar fast during this
period and eat only fruits and light sattvik food.
Main Puja
At
Nishita Kal or midnight, the main ritualistic puja is performed. There are
sixteen steps in total which are a part of the Shodashopachara Puja Vidhi.
Bhajans and Kirtans dedicated to the Blue God are sung throughout the midnight
as people keep a ratri jagaran (night vigil). Some people
visit the temple of Lord Krishna or Vishu to offer prayers while others do the
puja in their homes.
Dahi Handi
One of
the spectacles of the celebration is Dahi Handi, an event that narrates the
story of young Krishna as Makhanchor. Handi or an earthen pot is filled with
white butter, ghee, dry fruits, and milk. It is then hung with ropes at some
height from the ground. As people gather around it to witness the moment, the
young boys in the locality would form a human pyramid, climb up to the Handi
and break it.
Ras Leela
Ras
Leela is yet another happening episode of the celebration. Often youngsters
would get involved in preparing skits and through dance-drama, they would
portray the chronicles of Krishna’s life. As throngs of people get enraptured
by the play sitting in the audience, for the young performers, this becomes one
of the most enjoyable moments during Janmashtami.
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