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.