Janmashtami is a special festival celebrated in India to mark the birth of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna, a beloved God in Hinduism, is known for his kind nature and fun adventures. Janmashtami is celebrated every year in August or September. This festival is filled with devotion, joy, music, and delicious food leaving behind the important message of victory of good over evil. Let’s learn more about this wonderful celebration!
Significance of Janmashtami
Along with filling us with the happiness of Krishna's birth, Janmashtami also reminds us that God rewards good over bad. Krishna defeated Kansa, the king of Mathura and punished him for his baddoings. Krishna was Devaki and Vasudeva's eighth son and he was destined to punish Kansa. Fearing this Kansa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudev and decided to take away their eighth child. However, under God's guidance and protection, Vasudeva managed to take Krishna to Gokul, where he was raised by Yashoda and Nanda. After growing up, Krishna punished Kansa and taught everyone the valuable lesson of Goodness and Kindness.
Celebration of Janmashtami
On Janmashtami, people fast during the day and break their fast at midnight, the time Krishna was born. Baby Krishna idols are bathed, clothed, and placed in a cradle. Devotees then share food and sweets. Special foods, called bhog, include Krishna’s favourite maakhan-mishri (sweetened butter), which is offered to Lord Krishna. Homes and temples are decorated with flowers, lights, and colourful rangolis. The celebration of Janmashtami in the temples of Vrindavan and Mathura is a great attraction for people.
A highlight of Janmashtami is the exciting game called Dahi Handi. A pot filled with curd is hung high up, and teams of young boys form human pyramids to break it, inspired by Krishna’s love for butter and curd.
Devotional songs called bhajans and kirtans are sung in praise of Lord Krishna. People gather in temples to sing, dance, and celebrate. In some places, children and adults dress up as characters from Krishna's life and perform plays called Krishna Leela, depicting stories of his childhood and adventures.
Why Janmashtami is Special
Janmashtami spreads the message of love, joy, and virtue. It is the occasion when people shower their love on Krishna and pray to be blessed by him. Janmashtami is the time to revive Krishna's teachings on living a meaningful and truthful life, recorded in the Bhagavad Gita. The festival reminds us to incorporate these lessons into our lives and to always do the right things.
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