Janmashtami: Celebration of the festival of the birth of Lord Krishna

Bellevision Media Network

01 September 2010: Janmashtami, the birthday of Lord Krishna has different names depending on where one lives or what particular religious belief one has. For example, it can be called by any of the following names: ‘Sree Jayanthi’, ‘Srikrishna Jayanti’, ‘Krishnashtami’, ‘Saatam Aatham’, ‘Gokulashtami’, ‘Janmashtami’, or ‘Ashtami Rohini’.

 

 

This year (2010), the date of Janmashtami in North India is 2nd September and in other parts it is on 1st September. The Janmashtami is observed on different days in different parts of India due to the differences in regional calendars and also due to the various calculations in the time of the birth of Lord Krishna. The Smartha Tradition observes the Janmashtami on 1st September whereas the Vaishnava Tradition observes the same festival on 2nd September.

 

In Maharashtra, Janmashtami is famous for the Dahi Handi and the next day is observed as Gopalkala. In Karnataka, especially in the coastal region the second day of the Janmashtami is being observed as ‘Mosarukudike’.

 

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of one of the most famous Gods of Hindu religion, Lord Krishna on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the second fortnight in the month of Shravana or Savana. Lord Krishna was born on the ’Rohini’ nakshatram (star). It is generally celebrated in the month of August-September according to the Christian Calendar. Legend has it that Lord Krishna was born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule and atrocities of his maternal uncle, Kansa.

 

 

Janmashtami is celebrated for over two days as ‘Rohini’ nakshatra and Ashtami may not fall on the same day. The first day known as Krishnashtami, as the birth of Lord Krishna falls on the eighth day after Raksha Bandhan, which generally falls in the month of August. The second day is known as Kalashtami.

 

It is believed that it was at midnight between the first and the second day that birth of Lord Krishna took place. The actual festivities begin during midnight in this 48 hour period. The celebration reaches its peak at midnight, with the birth of Lord Krishna, with lot of hymns, arti taking place and blowing of the Conch (shankh), rocking the cradle of Lord Krishna. The idol of Lord Krishna is bathed with Panchamrit (A mixture of milk, ghee, oil, honey and Gangajal). The Panchamrit is later distributed as ‘prasad’ to the devotees along with other sweets. While some fast on the first day and break it at midnight for others the fasting continues for both days.

 

 

On the day of Janmashtami special ‘pujas’ are held in Sri Krishna Temples around the world. Special ‘poojas’ and rituals are also held at midnight, that is, the time of Lord Krishna’s birth. Processions with tabloids depicting various episodes from the life of Lord Krishna enacted by children are a major highlight of the festival.