On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami
Janmashtami or Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. The day falls on the Ashtami that is the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight of Bhadon month. There are many legends related to the origination of Janmashtami in India and its celebration.
Such one mythological story says that Lord Krishna was born on that day in a cellular jail to Vasudeva and Devaki. But to save their child from evil Kansa, Vasudeva had to cross the Yamuna River in a stormy night. He passes on his child to a friend in Mathura. This is how Maiya Yashodha and Nanda of Gokul in Mathura became the foster parents of Lord Krishna. Today this day is celebrated with much devotion and spirituality in Mathura, Vrindavan and other parts of India.
With the magical skills and wonders, the little Krishna proved himself to be an extraordinary child and later, a great human, as an incarnation of God. The legend tells us how little Krishna saved the people of Gokul and entire Mathura each time from difficulties and calamities. This may be the reason behind celebrating Janmashtami for ages.
The celebration of Janmashtami starts from the dawn and last till midnight. It’s not just the north India but the entire country with different regions like Madhya Pradesh in Central India, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh from Southern India, West Bengal, Manipur, Assam, and Odisha, in Eastern India, and Rajasthan and Gujarat from the Western India that celebrate Janmashtami at their Vaishnava temples.
How Janmashtami is celebrated in India
Janmashtami is celebrated with fun excitement music dance and fasting. There are many activities people organize to bring everyone together on this special day. To keep themselves engaged during the fasting period from dawn to midnight, everyone devotes their time to celebrate and enjoy the occasion of Janmashtami.
Dahi-Handi
The most famous and exciting game during the Janmashtami celebration is Dahi-handi. Lord Krishna used to steal dahi and Makhan or butter from the earthen pot called Handi. The event replays the same scenario where a group of kid steals butter and Dahi from the handi that is tied at a considerable height with ropes. The group by forming a pyramid, climb over each other and try to break the handi to get the Dahi. This Dahi-handi event brings everyone together, teaches the principle of working together and is loved by everyone. This is mainly organized in Maharashtra.
Kirtan and dance
Music and dance is the soul of the occasion. Small children perform dance and music show for the entertainment and celebration during Janmashtami. While everyone is on a long day fasting, Kirtan or spiritual music is the best way to keep them engaged and devoted to the worship of Lord Krishna. The soulful devotional Lord Krishna songs are sung by the group of singers is common in this festival. Some temple prepares the dance drama or Ras-lila for Janmashtami along with the narration of Krishna dialogues from Bhagwad Gita. The music and dance for Janmashtami celebration id enjoyed all over India.
Janmashtami celebration in India
Every State of India celebrates the occasion of Janmashtami in a unique and different manner. In Goa, it is celebrated at Devaki Krishna temple where the devotees of Yadav clan and other society gather and celebrate the occasion. This is the only temple in India where Krishna and Devaki are worshipped together.
In Kerala dishes like palpaysam and appam are offered to Krishna on Janmashtami. People attend the rituals and pooja performed at Guruvayoor Sri Krishna temple, which is one of the most famous Vaishnava temples in Kerala.
In Udupi, Lord Krishna is worship through small nine holes in the window of Udupi Sri Krishna Matha temple. This is the most popular Krishna temple in Udupi. Events like Leelotsav, tiger dance and various plays are performed for the celebration.
Gujarat, Dwarka is one of the popular destination, known for its Janmashtami celebration. The city celebrates the festival with chants, the ringing of bells and sound conch shells. Thousands of people visit Dwarka to witness the celebration of Janmashtami.
In Tamil Nadu, people draw elaborate kolam or the decorative patterns on the floor of their house on Janmashtami. These resemble the tiny footprints of Krishna entering the house. The celebration ritual is also followed by recitation of Bhagwad Gita on Janmashtami.
The festival is celebrated in a special manner at every corner of the country. What remains the same is the spirituality and beliefs of people.