Bhagwan Sri Krishna’s birthday, i.e. is celebrated with great reverence and enthusiasm throughout India in August according to the calendar.
It is also known as or . Hindus celebrate the birth of Bhagwan Sri Krishna as the eighth incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu. According to the Hindu lunar calendar, it is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapada.
This day is celebrated with great pomp, especially in the Indian subcontinent and by Indian communities worldwide. It is one of the holiest Hindu festivals, especially for Hindus following the Vaishnav tradition. According to the life story of Krishna described in the Bhagavata Purana, this festival is celebrated to commemorate Krishna’s birth at midnight through fasting, night vigil dance-drama performances and midnight devotional singing.
Bhagwan Krishna was born in the Dwapar era to King Kansa of Mathura. His mother’s name was Devaki, and his father’s was Vasudev. Kansa had heard a prophecy about Devaki’s eighth son that he would kill him, so he imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva.
Bhagwan Krishna was born in the prison and Vasudeva left him at Nanda Baba and Yashoda’s house in Gokul near Govardhan mountain to save him. Many stories of Bhagwan Krishna’s childhood pastimes and miracles are famous, such as stealing butter, killing demons, etc. The centre of Janmashtami celebrations is especially Mathura and Vrindavan, but it has become a global festival.
It is an essential festival of major Vaishnavites and non-sectarian communities found in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, all other states of India. Krishna Janmashtami festival comes after Nandotsav. It commemorates the day when Nanda Baba distributed gifts to people to celebrate Bhagwan Krishna’s birth.
Devotees observe fast on this day and perform special Puja at night. The Puja timing is particularly midnight, when Bhagwan Krishna was born. Bhagwan Krishna murtis in homes and temples are decorated with beautiful clothes and jewellery.
The murti are bathed with milk, curd, honey, and ghee called Panchamrit. Special bhajans, kirtans, and Bhagwat Katha are organised on this day. Devotees sing praises of Bhagwan Krishna’s leelas and his divine qualities.
Dahi Handi is organised mainly in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and other regions. In this, a matki (pot) is filled with curd, honey, and other substances and hung at a high place. Young men form a human pyramid and break the matki.
It depicts Bhagwan Krishna’s childhood leelas. Special Raasleela (dances) and tableaus are organised at night to depict important events in Bhagwan Krishna’s life. Special sweets such as Petha, Mohanbhog, and Panchamrit are prepared on this day.
These are offered to the Bhagwan as Prasad and distributed among the devotees. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated in different ways in different parts of India. Each region celebrates this festival with great joy and enthusiasm according to its local traditions and cultural characteristics.
On the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, major temples across India are specially decorated. Grand decorations, special worship and cultural programs are organised in these temples. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great pomp in Mathura, the birthplace of Bhagwan Krishna.
Major temples like Shri Krishna Janmashtami and Govardhan come alive with special decorations and worship. Devotees perform special worship and bhajan kirtan in temples at night. Krishna Janmashtami is also celebrated with great pomp in Vrindavan.
‘Rasleela’ is organised here, where Bhagwan Krishna’s levels are performed. Dahi Handi is also organised with great enthusiasm in Gokul, Uttar Pradesh. People here worship the child form of Bhagwan Krishna and make special sweets.
On the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami, grand decorations are held at Shri Banke Bihari Mandir, and special religious rituals and cultural programs are organised. ISKCON temple in Delhi and other major Krishna Mandie like Lakshmi Narayan Mandir are specially decorated for Krishna Janmashtami. The Mandir is decorated with colourful lights, flowers, and tableaux.
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated as the festival of Dahi Handi in Maharashtra. In this, a pot filled with curd, honey and other substances is hung at a high place. The youth break this pot by forming a human pyramid.
Dahi Handi competitions are held in most places in Maharashtra, which remains the centre of attraction. It depicts the childhood pastimes of Bhagwan Krishna. Apart from this, the Shri Krishna Mandir in Pune and other major temples are decorated on Krishna Janmashtami’s occasion.
Bhajans and kirtans are performed at night, and special cultural programs are organised. The Dwarkadhish temple in Gujarat is a special attraction on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami. On the day of Krishna Janmashtami, the temple and its entire premises are lit up with lights.
On this day, people specially make sweets and dishes, and children are decorated as Bhagwan Krishna. Raasleela is also organised here with great pomp, and the events of Bhagwan Krishna’s life are performed. Special puja and Raasleela are organised on the night of Krishna Janmashtami in Udaipur, Rajasthan.
People here dress up in traditional Rajasthani attire and participate in the puja. Krishna Janmashtami is also celebrated with special enthusiasm in Jaipur. The deco and ration of temples, bhajans, kirtans, and Raasleela are also organised.
Puri in Odisha is the location of the Jagannath temple. This temple is considered to be the most popular religious place in Odisha. The festival of Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal in Puri.
On this day, the streets of Puri are beautifully decorated, and devotees are immersed in the tune of devotional music. During the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami in Tamil Nadu, devotees sing songs of Bhagwan Krishna. They make small footprints of Bhagwan Krishna in front of their house.
Apart from this, people dress up small children like Bhagwan Krishna and dance to their tunes. People fast at midnight and chant mantras. In Andhra Pradesh, Sri Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated as ‘Gopuja Dinotsavam’, and Gopuja activities are organised in all the state temples.
Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with the same enthusiasm and devotion in different parts of India, but each region has its own cultural and traditional characteristics. This festival’s uniqueness is seen everywhere, which is an important part of Indian diversity and richness. Krishna Janmashtami is an occasion that allows people to experience and celebrate the spirit of unity, love, and devotion.
This festival symbolises happiness, joy, and dedication in life. The significance of Krishna Janmashtami is of utmost importance in Hinduism and Indian culture. The significance of Krishna Janmashtami in the 21st century is also important from a religious, cultural, and social point of view.
In this century, this festival is maintaining its relevance even in new contexts and circumstances, which can be understood through the following points: Bhagwan Krishna is the eighth incarnation of Bhagwan Vishnu, according to Hinduism. He was born in the Dwapara Yuga and came to earth to restore Dharma. His life and teachings are a role model and guide for devotees.
Bhagwan Krishna did many important works in his lifetime, such as the killing of Kansa, the destruction of the wicked, and the establishment of Dharma. He preached the Gita to Arjuna in the Mahabharata, which guides various aspects of life and Dharma. Despite globalisation and modernity in this century, Krishna Janmashtami is a momentous occasion to cherish and preserve Indian culture and traditions.
The festival keeps folk arts, music, dance, and cultural rituals alive. Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated diversely in different cultural and geographical contexts, which showcases Indian cultural diversity and its beauty. Krishna Janmashtami encourages social unity and community relations.
People from different castes, religions, and backgrounds celebrate this festival, promoting social harmony and brotherhood. On this day, many social organisations and temples organise charity, food distribution, and other social work, helping the weaker sections of society. The festival encourages the spirit of service and philanthropy.
Bhagavat Katha, bhajans, and other religious programs organised on Krishna Janmashtami help spread education and knowledge. This is an occasion to teach children and youth about Bhagwan Krishna’s life, teachings, and significance. In the 21st century, Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated in India and worldwide.
Indian communities in many countries celebrate this festival with great enthusiasm, which shows the global spread of devotion and teachings of Bhagwan Krishna. Celebrating Krishna Janmashtami worldwide promotes cross-cultural dialogue and international understanding. People from different cultures and communities connect through this festival and become a part of Indian culture.
The significance of Krishna Janmashtami in the 21st century is not only important from the religious and cultural point of view but also in the social, educational, and global context. This festival encourages spirituality, social unity, cultural preservation, and global devotion. Even in the modern age, this festival inspires people towards life’s more profound meaning and purpose.
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