It is celebrated every year in India to mark the birth of Lord Krishna,
eighth son of Devki destined to kill Kansha, the brother of Devki &
also the king of Mathura.
Kansha being aware of it’s end tries too much to kill the great Lord
Krishna & He being born & brought up by Yashoda unaware that He
is not his real son. He was born in jail at the middle of night 8th day
of the Krishnapaksha or dark fortnight in the Hindu month of Bhadrapada
(August-September). Also Kansha not knowing that He is in Gokul.
Janmasthmi is celebrated by fasting in the name of Lord
Krishna.Indian as well as Western scholars have now accepted the period
between 3200 and 3100 BC as the period in which Lord Krishna lived on
earth. Makhan or cream the favourite of Lord Krishna is served to him
& prayers are offered at night. People remember Shri Krishna on this
day &
Raslilas or religious plays are performed to recreate incidents from the
life of Krishna and to commemorate his love for Radha.
Song and dance mark the celebration of this festive occasion
all over northern India. At midnight, the statue of infant Krishna is
bathed and placed in a cradle, which is rocked, amidst the blowing
of conch shells and the ringing of bells. In the south western state
of Maharashtra, people enact the god’s childhood attempts to steal
butter and curd from earthen pots beyond his reach. A similar pot is
suspended high above the ground and groups of young people form humans
pyramids to try and reach the pot and break it. Prasad is distributed
among devotees after the birth ceremony.
Sweets like Doodhachi Kheer, Pedha, Gopalkala or Gulabjamun are the
major dishes prepared on Krishnashtami. Besides, Shrikhand and Singhare
ki Poori are also made in households. Eatables like Murukku and Seeddai
are popular in the Southern State of Tamil Nadu.
A common feature of Janmashtami in North India, especially Mathura is
‘Jhulanotsava’. In this, Jhulas (swings) are hung in the courtyards of
temples and houses in honour of the Lord. Another distinguishing
feature of Janmashtami festival celebrations is ‘Ghatas’. This is a
month long programme wherein a particular colour is selected as a theme
and the entire temple is adorned with the same colour. The idol of God
is also adorned with clothes of the same colour.
Jhankis (tableaux) are cribs and other decorations depicting the
entire life of Lord Krishna right from the time of his birth. Various
jhankis include bith of Lord Krishna in jail, Vasudev,father of Lord
Krishna taking out of the jail to his friend Nand, River Yamuna in
floods finally bowing to the feet of Lord and making way,Exchange of
Lord with the baby girl etc.
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