HAPPY KRISHNASTAMI

Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations

 Krishna Janmashtami or Sri Krishna Jayanti is one of the most popular festivals celebrated by Hindus in India. Also known as Ashtami Rohini or Gokula Ashtami, Krishna Janmashtami festival is celebrated as the Birthday of Lord Krishna, one of the avatars of Lord Vishnu. Krishna Janmashtami festival is observed on the eighth day, Ashtami tithi, of the dark half in the month of Shravana (mid August - mid September); on the day of Rohini nakshatra (star). Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated for two days. The first day is known as Krishnashtami and the second day is known as Kalashtami. According to traditions, Lord Krishna was born to demolish Kamsa, the demon king of Mathura. Lord Krishna played an important role in Hindu epic Mahabharata (legendary battle in Kurukshetra) and also emphasized the theory of bhakti.

Krishna Janmashtami is observed through various customs and rituals in various states of India. However, the fasting observed during the festival is a common one. Devotees observe fast for the entire day and it is broken after the birth of the Lord at midnight. Only milk and milk products are preferred by them, as these were the favorites of Lord Krishna. Some undergo 'Nirjal' fast which means not consuming even a single drop of water. Few devotees fast for two days also.

On this auspicious day, devotees recite slogans and mantras of Lord Krishna. Another important custom of Sri Krishna Jayanti is singing Hindi Bhajans (Devotional songs)  during the Janmashtami festival. People involve in dance performances that portray the life of Lord Krishna. To commemorate the birth anniversary of the Lord, Rasa Lila or the dramatic performances of the life of Krishna are performed by devotees. Butter, buttermilk and sweets are offered to the Lord on the day.

On the Ashtami Rohini festival occasion Lord Krishna Temples are brilliantly decorated with oil lamps and festival celebration continues till early hours of morning. Thousands of devotees visit the temples on Krishna Janmashtami day to get a glimpse of their favorite God in full decoration. Special feasts will be arranged by temple authorities on Krishnashtami day for devotees.

Sree Krishna Janmashtami is popularly known as Dahi Handi in Mumbai and Pune, and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Handi is an earthen pot filled with buttermilk or curd which is placed high above the ground. Groups of youngsters called Govinda Pathaks form human tower to break the Dahi handi and the uppermost person of the pyramid tries to break the handi. When it is broken, the buttermilk/curd is splashed over the whole group, indicating their achievement. You can see numerous Handis in various parts of the cities and the Govinda Pathaks go by trucks and try to break the handis during the day. Prizes are offered for the group to participate.

During the Sri Krishna Jayanti festival, the South Indian women beautifully decorate their houses with Rangoli. Butter and variety of sweet meals are offered to the Lord to please him. Right from the doorway towards the house, they draw models of small children's feet with rice-flour paste. This is done to denote the entry of the infant Krishna to their home. The ritual of reciting the holy Bhagavatam, together with devotional songs and dances, create a pious atmosphere.

Ashtami Rohini festival is celebrated quite differently in Karnataka, especially by the Madhwas (Vaishnavas) (followers of Sri Madhwacharyaru) and Iyengars or the Srivaishnavas, (followers of guru Ramanujacharya). They keep the idol of Lord Krishna in a decorated mandapam (a wooden square stand) together with a plaid wooden ceiling. On the top of the stand, snacks and sweets prepared for the festival, and fruits, are kept. Rituals are started in the late evening.

        Besides celebrating at home, devotees throng to Krishna temples. Some of the famous Krishna Temples in India where Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with much importance include Guruvayur temple in Kerala, Ambalapuzha Sree Krishna Temple in Alappuzha, Udupi Sri Krishna Temple in Karnataka, ISKCON Temple in Tirupati, Srinath Temple in Rajasthan, Dwaraka Temple in Gujarat, Krishna Temple in Hampi, Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir in Mathura, and Banke Bihari Mandir in Vrindavan. The celebrations at ISKCON temple at Secunderabad also draw devotees from different parts of South India. 

HAPPY SRIKRISHNA JAYANTHI!