VIVAN Life Sciences Blog
India is a diverse country with numerous festivals, that are celebrated throughout the year. One of which have a very high significance and Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami is one of those festivals.
The story As It Goes…..
Shri Krishna was born to Devaki and Vasudev, however was brought up by Yashoda and Nanda in Vrindavan. The festival generally falls on the Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha or 8th day of the dark fortnight on the month of Bhadrapad .
It is said that lord Krishna was born in Mathura Prison. Therein, his life was in danger from his maternal uncle, kansa. The tyrant Kansa, was told by a voice in the sky that one of her children would kill him.
Kansa decided to kill Devaki so that she does not give rise to any children, but Vasudeva, her husband begged Kansa to forgive Devki and promised that he will give any of her child to Kansa, so then Kansa on this assurance from Vasudev, let Devki go.
He imprisoned both Devaki and Vasudeva. Kansa made sure that none of her children survived.
One night Lord Vishnu appeared before Devaki and Vasudeva . He told them that in the guise of their son, he will return and rescue them from Kansa’s autocracy.
The divine baby was born and the day he was born, Vasudev found himself magically freed from prison. He ran away with the infant to a safer house in order to protect lord Krishna, his father Vasudev carried him in a basket across the raging River Yamuna to Vrindavan and Lord Vishnu removed all the obstacles from Vasudeva’s path ..
Vasudeva reached a house in Gokul, exchanged Lord Krishna with a new born girl of Yashoda and Nanda and returned to the prison with the girl child.
As soon as Kansa came to know about the new-born, he again tried to kill the child. The infant ascended to the heavens and transformed into the goddess Yogamaya and said, “O foolish Kansa! What will you get by killing me? Your nemesis is already born.”
The Celebration….
People Celebrate Janmashtami at midnight, because it is believed that Lord Krishna was born at midnight. The devotees keep fast to show gratitude and devotion to lord Krishna.
Since Sri Krishna was fond of eating Makhan, people play this sport where an earthen pot or matki is tied high from the ground. Moreover, a person fills Makhan in the matki. Besides, people build a human pyramid to break the matki.
Festivals like Janmashtami play an essential role in bringing people together and spreading the message of peace, love, and harmony.
Reference: timesofindia
