Significance of Krishna Janmashtami
The Krishna Janmashtami celebrations are held across the country and also in various parts of the world. The festival is known by several names like Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti, or simply as Janmashtami.
According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the occasion is observed especially in Mathura and Vrindavan (Brindaban), the scenes of Krishna’s childhood and early youth. On the preceding day devotees keep a vigil and fast until midnight, the traditional hour of his birth. Then the image of Krishna is bathed in water and milk, dressed in new clothes, and worshipped. Temples and household shrines are decorated with leaves and flowers; sweetmeats are first offered to the god and then distributed as prasada (the god’s leftovers, which carry his favour) to all the members of the household. The devotees of Krishna commemorate the events of his birth by preparing elaborate representations of Mathura, where he was born, the Yamuna River, over which he was transported to safety, and Gokul (ancient Vraja), the scene of his childhood, using small images of the god, the other participants, and the animals and birds of the forest. Pots of milk are hung from tall poles in the streets, and men form human pyramids to reach and break the pots—this in imitation of Krishna’s childhood play with the cowherd boys, when they stole the curds hung out of reach by their mothers. The festival is also a time for group singing and dancing.
Understanding the Significance
The tradition of celebrating Lord Krishna’s birthday hails as one of the most important religious festivals for Hindus. Raas Lila or Krishna Lila which comprises dance and drama enactments of Lord Krishna’s life is one of the popular ways to celebrate the festival. According to the verses in the Bhagavad-Gita, a famous shloka narrates that whenever there will be pre-dominance of evil and decline of goodness, Lord Vishnu shall re-incarnate to save the earth. Lord Krishna’s birth as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu also marks the prevalance of goodwill and good energies.
According to Hindu belief, when the world getting engulfed with evil, god himself will take on human form to come purge the world and lead people back to the right path. The God Vishnu has incarnated time and again to ensure the preservation of mankind and Krishna is his 8th incarnation. He represents the destruction of evil and in the importance of Dharma (Duty).
In his life he defeated many evil monsters and men and when the brave Arjun’s conviction faltered before battle, he gave him the words necessary to help him understand why he needed to fight. Krishna explained how that battle was destined by the gods and that he was but an instrument of gods design. Fighting that battle was his dharma/duty and duties had to be fulfilled. This text is in the epic Mahabharata but that chapter is also studied separately, it’s called the Gita.
Krishna inspired many followers both in his lifetime and all the times following. His teachings have traveled across the world and he’s popular god for people of all ages.
Importance of Celebrating Janmashtami
Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival that marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, one of the favourite deities of Hindus, is considered as their hero, protector, teacher and a companion. According to Hindu mythology Lord Krishna took birth to dispel evil and spread the message of love and brotherhood. The teachings of Bhagavd Gita (one of the holy books of hindusim) is a dialogue between Lord Krishna and his student Arjuna. Lord Krishna’s teachings for life are regarded as the Lord himself in a human form by Hindus.
Janmashtami is the day of the year to celebrate one’s love for Krishna. He was born at midnight and so many people celebrate at midnight. They do so with prayers or by putting decorated idols of him as a baby in a cot to symbolise his birth. Hinduism is an free religion and people worship him in many ways, from spending the day in penance to merely taking a few moments to remember him, from fasting the whole day to reciting prayers at midnight.
Krishna defends dharma(duty) and fights evil so this day is a good to to meditate if the path you are on is truly the path of Dharma and if there are any evil vices or influences in your life you need to remove. Pray to Krishna for help with such issues.
Devotees observe a day-long fast only to open it next day when the Asthami tithi or the eight day is over. The devotees gear up to welcome baby Krishna to their homes by performing Krishna Abhishekam. People decorate Lord Krishna’s idol with new garments and fresh flowers after bathing the idol with milk, ghee and water. Then bhog is offered to the deity. Devotees fast on this day. They adhere to phalahar diet (diet which consists of fruits and water) during the hours of fasting.
Lord Krishna, also known as Nandlala, is made to rest in a cradle. The cradle is then rocked by the devotees while performing the religious ceremonies. Bala Krishna, the child Krishna, is a divine child and one of the popular deities of Hindus across India. People across India dress their children like Bala Krishna and celebrate the festival. Janmashtami is widely celebrated across India in Uttar Pardesh, Gujarat, South India, Rajasthan. A day after Janmashtami is celebrated as Dahi Handi festival in Maharshtra.
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