About Janmashtami

A popular Hindu festival, Janmashtami is a festival that is observed not only in India but, all over the world. The festival is of joy and is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm by the Hindu people. Janmashtami 2011 falls on 22nd August. According to the legendary tale, Lord Krishna is presumed to have made his divine appearance at midnight, in the 28th year of Dwapur Yug. It usually falls in the month of August or September every year, which is also the climax of the rainy season in India. Janmashtami is also known by many other names likes Gokulashtami, Krishnasthami and Srijayanti. Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna witnesses a grand celebration every year on the event of Janmashtami. The place is flooded with not only Indian devotees but, also foreign tourists from all over the world. They watch with great interest the whole procedure of celebrating Janmashtami. Significance of Janmashtami Janmashtami is associated with great historical significance and according to a popular myth the story runs as follows: When the Gods could no longer bear the treacherous impact of Kans’ (the cruel king of Mathura) tyranny they decided to teach him a lesson. In a dream Kans was told that his evil reign and life would be bought to an end by his sister Devaki’s son. Fear grips him and made him imprisoned Devaki and her husband so that he could kill all the sons born to Devaki. It was during her detention that Devaki bore six sons but, none could be spared from the treacherous clutches of Kans. However, on the birth of her seventh son i.e. Lord Krishna, Devaki managed to find a way out of the prison with the child. Eventually, Lord Krishna kills Kans and saves Mathura from the control of the wicked King. Janmashtami was since then celebrated every year to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Herein lies the significance of Janmashtami. Lord Krishna epitomizes the good over evil. It is said that he was born to free the earth from all the prevailing evils and demons. Krishna is believed to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Rituals and Celebrations of Janmashtami Since Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, people from all over come to this pious place to celebrate Janmashtami. Preparation for this great day starts months ahead. On this day the temples and homes are decorated and illuminated to bring in the desired essence of the joyous occasion. The Lord’s idol is bathed and then rocked in a decorated cradle by all the devotees. This is considered to be a good omen. Devotees of Lord Krishna usually fast the whole day and break their fast at midnight. That was the time when Lord Krishna is supposed to have taken his birth. Songs and hymns are chanted in merriment and they are accompanied by dance and dramas. Since Lord Krishna was an ardent lover of sweet and milk made products, devotees prepared sweets like singhare ki poori, pedha, gulabjamun, shrikhand, doodhachi kheer, gopalkala and celebrate the occasion with great spirit. -------------------------------