Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Janmashtami also known as Gokulashtami marks the celebration of the birth of Lord Sri Krishna.Sri Krishna was born in the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) to King Vasudeva and Devaki Devi on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana. This festival is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Krishnashtami.
The Shravana month corresponds to the month of
Bhadrapada Krishnapaksha, according to Barhapatyamana. It is said that Lord
Krishna took birth in the year of Visvavasu, about 5,227 years ago. He was the
avatar of Lord Vishnu which came to the earth in Dwapara Yuga.In present time,
this festival is rejoiced for over two days because the nakshatra called Rohini
and the 8th day of Krishna Paksh may not fall on the same day.
This is
why this festival is celebrated for two days, in which the first day is known
as Krishnashtami, as on this day Lord Krishna took birth which comes on the
eighth day after the festive occasion of Raksha Bandhan whereas the second day
is called as Kalashtami.
HISTORY & LEGENDS :
For Hindus, the life of Krishna exemplifies
morality and virtuousness. Some historians have surmised 3227 BC to be the year
of birth of Lord Krishna. It was prophesied that the eighth son Of Devaki and
Vasudeva will kill the demon king Kamsa. Upon hearing the divine proclamation,
Kamsa imprisoned his sister Devaki and her husband Vasudeva. Krishna, the much
awaited eighth son of Devaki, who was to free the earth from all demons, was
born in prison at the stroke of midnight. Though, Kamsa succeeded in killing
all the previous seven children of Devaki and Vasudeva, Krishna was saved by
divine intervention.
During the Mahabharata war between the Kauravas
and the Pandavas, Krishna acted as the charioteer of Arjuna, one of the
Pandavas. While delivering his discourse to Arjun, which has been compiled in
the sacred Hindu Scripture of 'Bhagwat Gita', he spread the concept of karma
and divinity to the entire human race. In one of the verses Krishna says,
"Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O! Bharata and a rise of unrighteousness,
then I will manifest myself." Hindus still believe that, Lord Krishna will
be born again to banish all that is evil and profane and will thus re-establish
the religious sanctity.
Hindus, since ages, have been celebrating the
birth of their great savior, Lord Krishna on the occasion of Janmashtami, with
great devotion and ardor. Celebrated all across India, the festival of
Janmashtami bears a special significance in Indian culture and is marked for
the inspirited festivities. If you wish to make this pious occasion of
Janmashtami special and memorable for your loved ones, send a wonderful gift
bearing all your love and hearty wishes.
Rituals and Traditions :
The most common and essential ritual followed on
the day of Janmashtami is the fasting by devotees. Most of Lord Krsihna’s
devotees fast for on this day and open the fast at midnight when it is assumed
that Lord Krishna has been born. At the time of midnight also, the people who
have observed fast whole day prefer to have only milk and milk products as they
are considered auspicious as well pure. Some of the ardent devotees of Krishna
observe the fat for the entire day even without consuming water- it is called
‘Nirjal Vrat’. There are other devotees who observe two day fast in the honor
of Lord Krishna.
It is said that chanting Lord Krishna’s name with
entire devotion brings immense joy and pleasure in the life of the devotee. So,
on the birthday of Lord Krishna, devotees indulge in continuous chanting of
Krishna’s name for the entire day. They chant sholkas, mantras, richas from the
Veda. They also read Bhagwat Geeta and sing bhajans in the name of Krishna. It
is said that chanting 108 names of Lord Krishna brings auspiciousness in one’s
life.
Bhajans are a vital custom of the Janmashtami
celebrations. Devotees sing and dance with fervor in the name of Lord Krishna.
In many temples of Mathura and Vridavana, you will find devotees mesmerized and
overwhelmed with their love and devotion for Shri Krishna.
It is known to everybody that Lord Krishna was
extremely fond of sweets and dairy products. So on the day of Krishnashtami,
devotees of Lord Krishna prepare umpteen varieties of sweets and dairy products
and offer them to the idols of Krishna. This ritual is called ‘bhog’. Later,
these sweets are distributed amongst the devotees as ‘ Prasada’.
Celebrations :
The festivities of Janmashtami can last for two
to three days in different parts of India. During these days, special prayer
sessions are organized in the temples. Devotees visit Krishna temples in large
numbers to pay homage to the Lord. The celebrations and prayer ceremonies reach
to their zenith at midnight of the first day when Shri Krishna was born. To
symbolize this auspicious occasion, the idol of the infant Krishna, also known
as Bal Gopal, is bathed with milk, butter and honey. The idol is later placed
in a beautifully ornamented cradle. With the blowing of a conch shell,
Krishna's avatar is announced to the world. To celebrate this pious occasion,
many homemade dishes are prepared throughout India to present as an offering to
Lord Krishna, like Murukku, Vella Seedai, Paal Payasam, Peda and Shrikhand.
Devotees from all over the world visit Krishna
temples placed at Vrindhavan, Mathura and Dwaraka for the celebrations of
Janmashtami, as it is believed that Lord Krishna spent most of his life in
these places. In some parts of Northern India, the festivities of Janmashtami
are even more elaborate. Dance dramas based on various incidents of Lord
Krishna's life are performed and enjoyed by the public. 'Dahi Handi' contests
are organized in which groups of youngsters compete to reach and then break the
pot of curd or butter hung on a rope quite high from the ground.
Janmashtami Pooja :
Some of the very important puja items for
Krishna Janmashtami include a puja thali, bell, diya (earthen lamp), rice,
cardamom, betel nuts (pan supari), beetle leaves, roli, small container (lota)
filled with Gangajal, honey, vermilion (sindoor), incense sticks, flowers and
clarified butter (ghee). Apart from this, one also requires new clothes and
jewelry for the deity as well as a small cradle. The items needed to make the
Panchamrit include Gangajal, honey, ghee, milk and yogurt.
Special puja is conducted at Lord Krishna temples
on Janmashtami. The puja for the festival usually begins early in the morning,
when a sacred bath is given to the idol of baby Krishna, using the holy water
of Hindus - Ganga jal (water collected from River Ganga). After bathing, the
idol is adorned with new clothes (that are decked with precious stone) that are
made especially for embellishing it on the auspicious occasion. Yellow, orange
and red may be the color of the clothes. Thereafter, the idol is clad with
jewelry. The holy place is illuminated with diyas, while the devotees chant
mantras and sing bhajans, praising Lord Krishna. Next, the idol is swung in a
cradle, during which conches are blown. When the entire pooja is over, the
devotees break their fast by having 'panchamrit'. Thereafter, the prasad is
distributed among the devotees.
Janmashtami Fast
Nirjal Fast (Fast Without Water)
On this day, the devotees of Lord Krishna observe
Nirjal Fast to give honour to the God and also to celebrate the festive
occasion of Janmashtami. In this type of fast, people do not take any type of
food and not even water for the entire day. The followers of Lord Krishna keep
this type of fast to come closer to the divine being. Also, they ask
forgiveness for the sins they have committed till the date. At 12 o'clock, at
night the ardent followers perform special puja and aarti, and offer prasad to
the Lord Krishna. After this, they break their fast by eating the prasad.
Phalahar Fast (Fast With Fruits)
On the day of Janmashtami, the followers of Lord
Krishna also observe Phalahar Fast. In this type of fast, one is allowed to
take water, fruits and milk. However, salty food items and cereals are not
permitted. The entire day people keep them busy in singing Janmashtami songs
and chanting the mantras of Lord Krishna. According to them, this is the best
way to make the God contented and to be in close contact with Lord Krishna.
Also, they observe this fast to apologise for the mistakes they have done in
their life till the time.
Krishna Janmashtami Decorations :
During Janmashtami, temples of Lord Krishna are
beautifully decorated. Generally, the temples are decorated with natural
flowers and the tableaus depicting popular incidents from Lord Krishna's life.
The grandeur of the decoration of Janmashtmi at Dwarakadheesh temple in Mathura
is worth watching.
Rasa Leela On Janmashtami :
On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, the
devotees of Lord Krishna would enjoy the scenes of Rasa leela performed by
professional artists. Generally, boys aged between 10 and 13 years are
selected to enact as Lord Krishna in Raslila. The main theme of the dance drama
revolves around the formative years of Lord Krishna. Apart from Raslila, other
themes are also chosen for the performance. These may include Janamleela (the
birth of Lord Krishna), Shanklarleela, Putanaleela (the assassination of the
demon Putana) and Nagleela (the killing of serpent Kaliya). The troupes perform
the dance drama with utmost devotion. In fact, Shri Krishna Rasa leela is one
of the main forms of entertainment on Janmashtami.
Significance
Of Rangoli
Rangoli or kolam forms a significant part of
Janmashtami. This is because on the day, Lord Krishna is expected to visit the
homes, which are kept neat and beautifully decorated. Since the devotees of
lord Krishna expect his visit, they scrub-clean their house and premises,
decorate the place with festoons and draw his footsteps, using rice flour, at
the entranceway. The footsteps are considered complete, only when they are
complemented by a beautiful kolam. This is the reason why on the occasion of
Janmashtami, people draw kolam at their entranceway. Moreover, rangoli is
considered auspicious for any Hindu festival. All the decorations are given a
finishing touch by beautiful rangoli motifs.
Janmashtami
In India
In India, Janmashtami is celebrated with fun and
fervor. The festivities extend to six days or a week in some of the famous Lord
Krishna temples located in Mathura and Vrindavan. People observe fast (either
nirjal or phalahar) during the day time and break it at the midnight stroke of
the eighth day of Savana month, when Lord Krishna was born. Cultural programs
are organized by various committees. Sri Krishna Raslila, the dance drama
depicting the important phases of the deity's life, is one of the highlights of
the cultural programs. Mouthwatering sweets made of milk and milk products are
served during the festival.
2015 Date : 5th September, Saturday.
2016 Date : 25th August, Thursday.
2016 Date : 25th August, Thursday.
Wow nicely explain about Shri Krishna Janmashtami.
ReplyDeleteWell said.