Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami

AGRITA CHHIBBER

To honor the birth of Lord Krishna, India celebrates Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Gokulashtami.

Krishna Janmashtami, or the eighth day of the waning moon, occurs on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapad (the dark fortnight of the moon), according to the Hindu calendar.

Nationwide celebrations of Krishna Janmashtami mark the arrival of Bhagavan Krishna into this world. According to Hindu mythology, Bhagavan Krishna, the eighth avatar of Bhagavan Vishnu, was born on this day.

This year, Janmashtami is observed over the course of two consecutive days in accordance with the Drik Panchang. The celebrations will take place on both of these days since the Ashtami Tithi begins on September 6 at 15:37 and ends on September 7 at 16:14.

Even though this day is celebrated all over the world, Mathura and Vrindavan commemorate Janamashtami unlike everywhere else since these two locations are linked to Bhagavan Krishna’s birth and childhood. The temples have lovely floral arrangements, lighting fixtures, and bright textiles.

Ten days prior to Janmashtami, festivities commence in Mathura and Mathura. Devotees participate in a variety of religious performances, including Rasleelas, Bhajans, and Kirtans.

One such daily ritual that is performed at dawn and dusk is rasleela. The Krishna temples, particularly the Krishna Janmabhoomi Temple in Mathura, where he was born, and the Banke Bihari Temple in Vrindavan, are crowded with pilgrims on the eve of Janmashtami.

To welcome Bhagavan Krishna, devotees give prayers, chant mantras, sing bhajans, and perform aarti. Additionally, they keep a daylong fast that is broken at midnight following the birth of Bhagavan Krishna.

A special ceremony called abhishek is done at midnight, when it is said that Bhagavan Krishna was born, during which the idol baby Krishna, known as laddu gopal, is bathed with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and water. Shankh naad, bell ringing, and chanting of vedic mantras are all part of the abhishek ceremony.

Then, as a sign of appreciation and affection, Chappan Bhog is presented to Bhagavan Krishna.  There are 56 various cuisines represented on the plate, including sweet treats for the Lord. An essential component of the entire ceremony is bhog.

What Krishna Janmashtami means

Janmashtami

Sri Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudeva in the city of Mathura on the Ashtami Tithi, or the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada, according to Hindu scriptures. Devaki’s brother Kansa was the demon ruler of Mathura. According to a prophecy, Kansa’s misdeeds would cause the eighth son of Devaki to kill him. Kansa thus imprisoned his own sister and her spouse.

He made an attempt to murder Devaki’s children as soon as they were born in order to stop the fulfilment of the prophecy. When Devaki gave birth to her ninth child, magic was used to send the entire palace into a profound sleep.

By bringing the child to Yashodha and Nanda’s residence in Vrindavan during the night, Vasudeva was able to spare the child from Kansa’s anger. This child represented Lord Vishnu, who subsequently assumed the name Sri Krishna and murdered Kansa to put an end to his reign of terror.

Meaning of Krishna Janmashtami in Astrology

Without a question, the birth narrative of Lord Krishna is tremendously fascinating and captivating. He was born in the Rohini Nakshatra of the Asthami tithi during the Krishna Paksha, or waning moon phase. He was born in the month of Bhadrapada, according to the Hindu calendar. Thus, the dates and hours of Sri Krishna Janmashtami are determined using astrological calculations. He is the guardian who prevents adharma and its supporters from destroying the world.

Because of all his bad crimes, Krishna killed Kansa. Therefore, whenever chaos and horror overwhelm the globe, Lord Vishnu assumes many incarnations on the planet to reinstate the rule of dharma.

Krishna Janmashtami’s Astrological Meaning

There’s no denying how fascinating and captivating the tale of Lord Krishna’s birth is. In the Rohini Nakshatra of the Asthami tithi, he was born during the Krishna Paksha, or waning moon phase. He was born in the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar. These astrological calculations are therefore utilised to calculate the dates and hours of Sri Krishna Janmashtami. As the world’s guardian, he prevents adharma and its supporters from destroying it.

Due of all of Kansa’s bad deeds, Krishna murdered him. When the universe is overwhelmed by chaos and horror, Lord Vishnu therefore assumes many incarnations on the planet to reinstate the reign of dharma.

Ceremonies held on Krishna Janmashtami

Many of the rituals that are carried out on Krishna Janmashtami are the reason why people of all ages enjoy this festival. The following are some notable traditions related to this day:

On the day of Krishna Janmashtami, devotees observe a 24-hour fast. The fast ends at midnight, which is believed to be the hour that Lord Krishna was born, and the entire day is devoted to commemorating the Lord.

Devotees chant the Lord’s name throughout the day, filling the air with their passion and devotion. There are many devotional songs sung, especially at Krishna temples.

There are elaborate performances performed that recount Krishna’s life story and his several leelas. Raas Leela is performed by kids dressed as Krishna and his Gopis.

Legends Related to Krishna Janmashtami 

When Devaki gave birth to her eighth son, the kingdom of Mathura was put to sleep by divine intervention. Vasudeva was able to take use of the situation and sneak his infant out of Mathura. In the heavy downpours, Krishna was carried in a basket.

Shesnag, who is known as the king of the snakes protected the two with his five-headed hood. Vasudeva could manage to cross the Yamuna River and arrive at Gokul with the help of divine forces. Vasudeva brought his son here and left him with Yashoda and Nanda, his foster parents. 

On the other hand, Yashoda had given birth to a girl who was deemed to be Goddess Durga’s incarnation. Vasudeva took the infant girl back to Mathura. He deceived Kansa into thinking that the prophecy of his demise at the hands of Devaki’s eighth son is untrue, which made him feel relieved and happy. Every year, devotees rejoice over the birth of Krishna, their lord and protector, by celebrating the festival of Janmashtami with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement.

Krishna Janmashtami around the World 

Krishna Janmashtami is observed with great excitement all across the world. Various states in India as well as countries around the world celebrate this festival in different ways.  

North India: 

The biggest festival in north India is Janmashtami.  On this day, people celebrate the Raas Leela custom. Another activity that happens in Jammu on Krishna Janmashtami is kite flying. 

05-09-2023

Agrita Chhibber is from Jammu

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