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Krishan Janmashtami is celebrated as Lord Krishna was born on this day. It is also known as Gokulashtami. Lord Krishna was born to King Vasudeva and Devaki Devi in ‘Rohini’ nakshatram in the month of Sravana. The day falls on eight day of dark fortnight. It usually falls in in months of August or September. Sri Krishna is considered as the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. Lord Vishnu took avatar to kill the demon Kans. Rituals Performed This is one of the greatest of all Hindu festivals. Lord Krishna was born at midnight. A twenty-four hour fast is observed on this day, which is broken at midnight. Temples are decorated for the occasion. From sunrise to till 12’o clock in night Krishna bhazans are sung. At 12’0 clock there are celebrations to mark the birth of Lord Krishna.Bells are rung, conch is blown and Prashad is distributed among devotees. People brake their fast.In midnight idol of God Krishna is bathed with milk. At Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, special spiritual gatherings are organised at this time. Pilgrims from all over India attend these festive gatherings. Celebrations Shri Krishna Janmashtmi is celebrated with full glory. Plenty of sweets are made on this day. Various donations are made to poor and Brahmins. In temples in evening there is raslilas depicting Shri Krishna’s life especially His love with Radhaji. In South India ladies decorate their houses beautifully, ready to welcome the Lord. They prepare various sweetmeats and offer them to the Lord. Butter was Krishna’s favourite, and this is also offered. From the doorway to the inner meditation room of the house the floor is marked with a child’s footprints, using some flour mixed with water. This creates the feeling in them that the Lord’s own Feet have made the mark. They treat the day as one of very great rejoicing. There is recitation of the Bhagavatam, singing and praying everywhere. Spiritual Significance Sri Krishna Janmashtami signifies not merely the birth of a great and Divine teacher of mankind in some distant past but the lighting of the spark of the Divine Power in every one of us, which spurs us on to play our dynamic part in this world of practical and hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose. Krishna represents the total power of attraction (Aakarshna Shakti) like a magnet of infinite rise. Hence Krishna is the source of joy. |
Posted By : Vinod Jindal on Jan 09, 2011 |
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