Janmashtami
The Birth of Lord Krishna
Why is Janmashtami Celebrated?
Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna, eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the supreme deity of the Hindus. This festival is observed on the Krishna Paksha Ashtami (8th day of waning phase of the Moon) in the lunar month of Bhadrapada. This day is usually observed in the month of August or September according to the Gregorian calendar.
In the Hindu Culture, it is believed that whenever the world goes our of balance, Lord Vishnu arrives on the earth in some form to reset the world in order. It is believed that Lord Krishna was the seventh avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. He arrived to teach the humans that the good always and the evil is always vanquished no matter how powerful. He taught us the importance of Bhakti and Karma through his teaching documented in the “Bhagvad Geeta”.
Story Behind Janmashtami Celebration
Lord Krishna was born in quite unfavorable conditions and the story of his birth is quite interesting which is as follows:-
Marriage and Imprisonment of Krishna's Parents
During the Mahabharata Era, Mathura was a small town on the bank on the Yamuna river ruled by King Urgasen. The king had 2 children, a son named Kansa and a daughter named Devaki. King Ugrasen arranged the marriage of his daughter to King Vasudev of Yadu dynasty, who was also the best friend of the Prince Kansa. Kansa was very happy for his sister and friend and decided to drive them to their new home himself.
When Kansa started to drive the chariot, a divine voice echoed from the sky and announced that “His end is near and the 8th son of Vasudev and Devaki will kill him”. After hearing the divine voice he got scared and suddenly changed. He thought that as long as his father was the King he can’t do anything in order to protect himself form certain death. So, he captured and imprisoned his father and usurped the crown.
After becoming the king he intended to kill his sister Devaki, so her children won’t be born. But seeing what he was about to do Vasudev begged Kansa to not kill Devaki. Kansa agreed on one condition that Vasudev and Devaki would stay as his prisoners until the birth of their 8th child. Vasudev agreed to his condition in order to save the life of his wife.
Birth of Lord Krishna and Escape from Prison
In the dungeon, Devaki was crying thinking about the fate of her 7 children and the one about to be born. Everyone in Mathura knew what happened to the babies till now, and the statement of the divine voice was common knowledge as well. So, everyone was waiting to see what would happen.
One day there was a terrible storm in Mathura. At midnight, the 8th child of Devaki was born and everything went quite. As soon as the baby was born, there was a blinding light that filled up the prison. Devaki fainted due to exhaustion caused due to child birth, while Vasudev could not stop looking at what was going on.
The same divine voice echoed again and spoke to Vasudev. The voice said “Take you baby to the Gokul Kingdom, ruled by your friend King Nand across the river Yamuna. Queen Yashoda, his wife, has given birth to a baby girl. Exchange the babies and come back immediately with the girl. No one will know about the birth of your eighth son.”
Vasudev did as he was told. To his surprise, his chains opened and fell to the ground and the prison gate opened up on its own. The guards stationed by Kansa fell asleep.
He went ahead and started to cross the Yamuna river. Since it was raining Sheeshnag (5 headed serpant) appeared and positioned itself like an umbrella over the baby. The river Yamuna started rising and went back to its natural after the feet of the newborn baby.
Later, he reached his destination and exchanged the babies, returned and placed the baby girl next to his wife.
True Identity of the Baby Girl
As soon as, Vasudev placed the baby girl next to his wife, she let out a cry and everything became normal. Prison gates closed once again, the guards and Devaki regained consciousness. Kansa came rushing in, ready to kill the 8 child of Devaki. She thought she had given birth to a girl. She begged her brother to not kill her girl as the divine prophecy said that a son would kill him, so there is no reason to kill the girl.
Kansa was not ready to spare the baby. He loved himself more than anything else in the world, and hid life was most precious to him. He snatched the baby and threw her against the prison wall, but the baby did not die. She flew upward towards the prison ceiling and a bright light filled up the prison once again. Once the light grew dimmer, Kansa realized that the baby has taken the form of eight-armed Goddess Durga. ‘Foolish Kansa’ she said, ‘you cannot kill me, and the one who will kill you has already been born and alive. One day he will find you and kill you no matter what you do.’
She soon disappeared and Kansa went back to his palace leaving his sister and her husband in the dungeon. Once alone, Vasudev told Devaki about what has happened.
Meanwhile, there was a lot of celebration in the kingdom of Gokul on the birth of the new baby. King Nand named the baby Krishna and everyone came to offer blessings and gifts to the baby.
How is Janmashtami Celebrated?
In temples, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the time when Lord Krishna was born. Devotees organize kirtan, and chant the Lords name. Many devotees decorate a statue of Lord Krishna. Incense sticks are lighted, scriptures are read, and many people even fast all day. Many delicious food dishes are also prepared on the occasion.
At home, people invite their friends and relatives to participate in the festivities. Homes are decorated. People chant “Hare Krishna” mantras. Some even read the story of Krishna’s advent and other exciting adventures from his life. People get new outfits for Radha-Krishna statues, and decorate their altar.
On the day of Janmashtami, devotees perform Nishita puja around midnight. Devotees offer Krishna’s favorite maakhan (white butter), milk and curd to the idols after marking his birth at midnight.
Another major activity that is organised during this festival is Dahi Handi that takes place on the day of Krishna Janmashtami. In the childhood, Lord Krishna was named Makhan Chor as he used to steal Makhan from similar handi’s by organizing groups of his childhood friends.
That’s why this event takes place on every Krishna Janashtami in which Dahi Handi is hung on the rope at a certain height and group of people create a tower like formation and a person climbs up the formation and break the Handi.
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated in different ways depending upon the region and cultural beliefs of the residents. Sometimes there are extreme differences in the way a festival a celebrated due to the diversity and size of India.
Janmashtami Celebration in Northern India
Mathura, Uttar Pradesh
The main celebration of Janmashtami takes place at Krishna’s Janmabhoomi, Mathura. Being the birthplace of Krishna, the exhilaration seen here is absolutely worth witnessing. Temples adorned with flowers, streets buzzed with devotees, air filled with the fragrance of roses and special savories getting prepared at every corner creating amazing vibe especially in this part of the country. From his butter stealing act to Raas Leela with Gopis, many vibrant plays are held to portray the life of Krishna. His Balgopal roop is cradled in every home and even in the temples of Mathura during Janmashtami. This tradition of cradling baby Krishna is also prevalent in many other parts of India.
Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh
Vrindavan after Mathura is another where Janmashtami is celebrated with great devotion as this town also has a deep affinity with Krishna’s life. Barely 11 Kms away from Mathura, it was in Vrindavan where Krishna spent his childhood stealing butter and performing Raas Leela with Gopis. On this special day, various rituals are performed in temples. Also, raas leela and plays based on Krishna’s life are enacted by artists which is a special highlight here. The celebration of Janmashtami in Vrindavan takes place for 10 long days.
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Krishna Balaram Temple and Govind Devji Temple in Jaipur are famous for Janmashtami celebrations. While the Krishna Balaram Temple in Jaipur city is exactly similar to the Krishna Balaram Temple in Vrindavan. The famous Govind Devji Temple located inside the City palace is where the main image of Krishan was brought by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II from Vrindavan which is believed to be made by Krishna’s great-grandson, Bajranabh. Decorations being the indispensable part during Janmashtami, both these temples in Jaipur are beautifully decorated.
The temples remain overcrowded especially during the festival and you can see long queues of devotees visiting here to offer prayers and seek blessings.
Janmashtami Celebration in North-Eastern India
Manipur
From observing fasts to visiting temples, organizing Raas Leela performances, singing bhajans, folk dance performances. Janmashtami celebrations in Manipur are just as enthusiastic as the ones in Krishna Janmbhoomi. Vaishnavism being quite prevalent in this northeastern state, almost every village in Manipur has at least one Krishna Temple where Janmashtami is celebrated with great fervor. Mahabali Temple and Sri Govindji Temple are quite popular where large gatherings of Krishna devotees can be witnessed.
Janmashtami Celebration along the West Coast of India
Dwarka, Gujarat
Coming to the celebrations in Lord Krishna’s very own Kingdom, Dwarka in Gujarat, Janmashtami in this part of the country is worth witnessing as this the place where he spent a majority of his life. According to the legends, the entire city of Dwarka submerged into the arabian sea after he left for heavenly abode. The present day city comes to life with the sound of conch shells and ringing bells during Janmashtami. Every year a large number of devotees visit Dwarka to immerse themselves in the bhakti of Lord Krishna.
Maharashtra
Goa
Udupi, Karnataka
Krishna Janmashtami is a grand affair in Shri Krishna Matha temple in Udupi. According to the legends, the idol of Krishna in the temple was discovered by Saint Madhwacharya on a ship in the 13th century and was later placed here facing west. During Janmashtami, this ashram-like temple buzzes with cultural performances, Leelostav and various plays depicting the life of Krishna.
One of the unique aspects here is the exquisitely carved window which is called Navagraha Kitiki from where the devotees worship Lord Krishna. Apart from this, you can also attend Vittal Pindi (Raad Leela) and Huli Vesha (Tiger Dance). Massive processions are also carried out in Udupi in which Gopuras are erected under the chariot. Earthen pots filled with curd are hung on Gopuras that are broken by sticks when the procession is carried out.
Kerala
Janmashtami Celebration along the East Coast of India
Odisha
Andhra Pradesh
Tamil Nadu
