Shri
Krishna Jayanti celebrates the birthday of Lord Krishna.
The
festival is also known as Gokulashtami and Krishnashtami.
It is observed as Dahi Handi in Maharashtra, the formation of the huge human pyramids to break the pot hung high up.
Shri
Krishna is today one of the most widely revered and most popular of all Hindu
Gods.
He
is worshipped as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Krishna is also worshipped as a supreme god by numerous people around the world.
In
North India, Shri Krishna Janmashtami is observed eight days after the full
moon day in Hindi month Bhadrapada (August – September).
In South
India, it is observed on the eighth day after the full moon day in the month of Shravan (August– September).
Lord Krishna was
born at midnight to Devaki and Vasudeva in Mathura (in Kamsa’s prison).
After Krishna's
birth in Mathura, his father Vasudeva took him across Yamuna to Nanda and
Yashoda - his foster parents in Gokul. Sri Krishna grew up here.
The divine
incidents at midnight involves....the thunder and rain never seen before, all
guards and entire Mathura sleeping, Yamuna parting ways for Vasudeva to reach
Gokul with little Krishna.
Not a single
soul was awake that night other than Little Krishna, Vasudeva, Devaki and the
Goddess Mahamaya who was born to Yashoda in Gokul.
In order to celebrate the birth of Shri Krishna, temples all over the country are decorated.
As part of puja
and rituals, murtis of Shri Krishna are cleaned and decorated with new ornaments
and clothes.
Special pujas
are held at midnight in all Krishna Temples.
In some regions,
the murti of baby Krishna is placed on a cradle. Devotees swing it in order to
signify Krishna's birth.
Women draw
tiny footprints outside the doors and kitchen, walking towards their house, a
symbolism for Krishna's journey into their homes.
Bhagavad Gita
and Bhagavad Purana are read in homes, temples, sacred places and institutions
associated with Shri Krishna.
People visit
temples of Krishna and offer prayers.
At home butter
is offered to little Krishna.
Milk based sweets are made and offered to the
Lord and later shared with children.
Reading Stories
of Sri Krishna from Bhagavad Purana is a must. Reading the stories to children is meritorious.
Shri Krishna
Jayanti is the biggest festival in Uttar Pradesh.
Mathura – where
he was born – and in Vrindavan – where grew up – the festival reaches its zenith.
Temples and sacred places associated with Shri
Krishna are decorated and special pujas are held in these spots.
Devotees come
from far and wide to visit the holy temples of Vrindavan and Mathura.
Apart from regular pujas and rituals, the
temples also organize recitation of holy books and cultural programs.
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