Shri Krishna janmashtmi marks the celebration of the birthday of Lord Krishna which is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and grandeur in many states of India, especially in the western state of Maharashtra. It usually falls during late July or early August. As per the Hindu calendar, Shri Krishna Janmashtami falls on the ashtami of Krishna Paksha which happens to be the 8th day of the Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon.
Lord Krishna is one of the most influential and powerful incarnations of Lord Vishnu in human form. Born more than 5,200 years ago in Mathura to Vasudeva and Devaki, who also were their eighth son. He grew up in Gokul under the care of Yasoda and Nanda, away from his evil uncle Kansa.
History of the Attraction
The objective of Shri Krishna’s birth was to ward off all kinds of evil from the Earth and that was his sole motive in life. He played a very important role in the epic Mahabharata, and his theories, wit, and intelligence are the traits he is loved and respected by all.
His birthday is nothing less than a festival in the western state of Maharashtra. The celebration takes place during the middle of the night as that is the time that Lord Krishna is believed to have been born. He was born on a dark, windy, and stormy night to end the evil named Kansa, who also happened to be his uncle.
The festival is celebrated with dances and devotional songs, arti, puja, rocking the cradle of baby Krishna, and blowing the conch.
The celebration of Janmasthami is very special in Vrindavan and Mathura, the places where the Lord spent most of his life and so in Maharashtra. Temples and homes get beautifully decorated with flowers and lights.
Duration of the festival
The festival is celebrated during the midnight and people fast till the puja is complete and the prayer is offered.
Important Rituals of the Festival
Some of the important rituals of this festival include:
- Devotional dance and songs
- Rocking baby Krishna in a cradle
- Night long offering of prayer and puja
- In some temples, the Bhagavad Gita is also read
- DahiHandi is an important ritual of this festival in Maharashtra.
Dahi Handi involve building a human pyramid and breaking a handi or earthen pot, filled with buttermilk, which happened to be Lord Krishna’s favourite as a child.
