Krishna Janmashtami also known as Krishnashtami, Srikrishna Jayanti or sometimes merely as Janmashtami, is an annual celebration of the birth of the Hindu deity Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Krishna belonged to the Vrishni clan of Yadavas from Mathura (Uttar Pradesh) and was the eighth son born to the princess Devaki and her husband Vasudeva. Lord Krishna reciprocates in unique, personal ways with every devotee who offers Him love. He is the most adorable, mischievous son, the most romantic lover, the most compassionate friend as described in ancient scriptures. The festival is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) of the month of Shraavana (August-September) in the Hindu calendar. The dramatic enactments of the life of Krishna, Rasa lila, are organised in different regions of Mathura, Vrindavan, and regions following Vaishnavism in Manipur and many other places across the world. The Dahi Handi event also celebrate God’s playful and mischievous side, where teams of young men form human towers to reach a high-hanging pot of butter and break it.

Legend

The legend behind Krishna’s birth is as intriguing as the occurrences during his lifetime. As per Hindu mythology, when sinful and unscrupulous forces unleashed havoc over the world, Mother Earth requested Lord Brahma to put an end to the rampant conditions. Lord Brahma took this concern of Mother Earth to Lord Vishnu, who in turn reassured him of his birth on earth to purge it from all prevailing evils. As promised, Lord Vishnu took birth as Krishna on Earth at midnight on the 8th day (Ashtami) of the month of Shravan. Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, was born to Devaki and Vasudev in Mathura in a prison. Krishna was born at a time of turmoil, raging persecution, lack of freedom, and when evil forces were reigning on the earth. His own life was at risk from his uncle King Kansa due to the prophecy that proclaimed his death at the hands of his nephew, Krishna. Knowing of the dangers that hovered over the life of Krishna, his father, Vasudeva, immediately handed him over to Yashoda and Nanda in Gokul to keep him away from King Kansa. This folklore is celebrated as the festival of Janmashtami by the devotees who keep fast, sing devotional songs of Krishna, and visit Krishna temples.

Significance

The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated with great fun and gaiety all over the world by the Hindus owing to the fact that Sri Krishna was one of the most forceful human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. Krishna is one such God in Hindu mythology, about whose birth and death, a lot has been written. Ever since he took birth on earth in human form, he is worshipped by the people as a god-child, an adorable prankster, a charming lover, a spiritual guide, and the principal power. The prime motive of his birth on Earth is to end all the darkness prevailing at that time, eliminate all the evil forces from Earth, and restore ‘Dharma’ in times when his uncle, Kansa, was making the lives of the people miserable. There is a popular saying in Bhagavad Gita- “Whenever there will be a predominance of evil and decline of religion, I will reincarnate to kill the evil and to save the good.” The festival of Janmashtami encourages goodwill and dissuades malice. The day is observed as a sacred occasion that celebrates togetherness and faith.

Celebrations across India

The birth of Krishna is celebrated with great enthusiasm, devotion, and warmth by everyone in the county. The cities across the country get overwhelmed with a feeling of exaltation. The devotees keep fast for the whole day. The folklore of Krishna’s birth is narrated in temples and households. The energetic youth of the country, completely immersed in exhilaration, actively participate in the Dahi handi festival. At some places, people perform raslilas to recreate occurrences from the life of Lord Krishna. Plays and dance performances based on Krishna’s life are also organized.

On this auspicious occasion, the idol of Krishna is placed in the cradle and bathed with panchamrit which is made from ghee, milk, gangajal, honey, and tulsi leaves. This panchamrit is also distributed among the devotees as prasad. Devotees joyously swing the cradle and welcome the blessings of Krishna in their lives. The chanting of the aartis, mantras, blowing of the Conch, hymns, kirtans becomes a common scenario everywhere where the celebrations are going on.

Celebrations in Temples

The Krishna temples are beautifully decked up with lights and flowers which is an awesome scene in the night. People wear new clothes and visit temples to pay respect and perform pujas of their beloved God. The priests in temples sing hymns and chant mantras. Some temples in India also perform readings of Bhagavad Gita. The beautiful fragrance of the flowers, soothing odor of burning camphor, and the sound of the ringing bells in the temples captures the entire atmosphere with sanctity.

Celebrations in Mathura and Vrindavan

The Janmashtami celebrations in the Mathura and Brindavan is often praised by everyone. The festival is celebrated with great pomp and show in these places where Lord Krishna spent most of his life. The temples of Mathura and Vrindavan come to life at night with jagrans, plays, dance performances, all based on Krishna’s childhood.