Sri Krishna Janmastami or Ashtami Rohini is a festival celebrated by the Hindus across the world on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad as per the Hindu calendar. Krishna, represents beauty, knowledge, strength and opulence and is the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The Bhagavad Gita coming from the Lord is the absolute truth which has withstood the test of time and has formed the basis and inspiration for many.
The life and message of Sri Krishna is the most stirring saga of one of the greatest saviour and profounder of Dharma. Sri Krishna was the unchallenged hero of his times, both in terms of his bodily prowess and his intellectual brilliance. Sri Krishna Jayanti, 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, which spurs on to play a dynamic part in this world of hard realities with a sense of high spiritual purpose. Krishna represents the total power of attraction (Aakarshna Shakti) like a magnet of infinite rise. Krishna is the source of eternal Joy.
Devotees express their love towards the Lord through various means, by chanting Stotras, singing Bhajans, performing Japa (meditation) and fasting on Ashtami till midnight, which is believed to be the time when Lord Sri Krishna has taken birth on the earth.
Krishna is described in India’s sacred writings as God Himself. One of the biggest religious festivals anywhere in the world, it is celebrated by nine hundred and thirty million people around the world, two million in the US alone.
Krishna reciprocates in unique and personal ways with every devotee who offers Him love. He is the most adorable, mischievous son, the most romantic lover, the most compassionate friend. He responds to the distinct feelings and desires that are held most deeply in the heart of every single worshipper.
Festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Lord Sri Krishna’s appearance. Events include kirtan, singing the Lord’s name along with other devotees, and japa, etc. Some devotees cook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna, while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations. Incense are burned, scriptures are read and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called abhisheka.
Devotees prepare a lot of dishes, mainly sweets. Plenty of milk products especially butter, which was Sri Krishna's favorite childhood food, is given in offerings. Various kinds of sweets are made to offer Gokulnandan on this day. Murukku and Seeddai are prepared in Tamil Nadu.
In Maharashtra it is called Dahi Handi. In Tamil Nadu, it is called Gokulashtami. Janmashtami is also celebrated in Nepal. an event which involves making a human pyramid and breaking an earthen pot (handi) filled with buttermilk (dahi), which is tied at a convenient height.
Places in Uttar Pradesh that are associated with Krishna's childhood, such as Mathura, Gokul and Vrindavan, attract visitors to participate in the festival celebrations. In Jammu, kite flying is an important part of the celebration on this day. It is celebrated in Assam mostly at the homes, Namghars and the temples. Janmaashtami, popularly known in Manipur as Krishna Janma is a significant festival celebrated at two temples in Imphal, the capital city of Manipur.
Gokulashtami or Gokul Ashtami (Janmashtami or Sri Krishna Jayanti) is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Sri Krishna. Gokulashtami is celebrated with great fervor in South India. In Tamil Nadu, the people decorate the floor with kolams (decorative pattern drawn with rice batter). Geetha Govindam and other such devotional songs are sung in praise of Lord Krishna. In Andhra Pradesh State Recitation of Shlokas and devotional songs are the characteristics of this festival.
Eighty percent of the population of Nepal identifies themselves as Hindus and celebrate Krishna Janmashtimi. They observe Janmashtami by fasting until midnight. They chant Slokas from the Bhagavad Gita and sing religious songs called Bhajans.
Janmashthami is a national holiday in Bangladesh. On Janmashthami, a procession starts from Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka, the National Temple of Bangladesh and then proceeds through the streets of Old Dhaka.
Janmashthami is celebrated by Pakistani Hindus in the Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Karachi with the singing of Bhajans and delivering of sermons on Krishna.
The first ever elected government official in the world to issue a proclamation for the celebration Janmashtami is byt Janet Napolitano, while she was the Governor of the Arizona. The festival is celebrated widely by Hindus in the Caribbean countries of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica and the former English colony Fiji, as well as the former Dutch colony of Suriname.
By Premji
