Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, one of the most popular deities in Hinduism. The festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Bhadon, which usually falls in August or September.

Janmashtami is celebrated for many reasons, including:

• Unity : The festival brings people together to strengthen principles of unity. 
• Divine savior : Krishna is considered a divine savior, and his birth symbolizes the victory of good over evil. 

• Love and compassion : Krishna is often depicted as a playful child and a loving friend, and his teachings in the Bhagavad Gita offer profound spiritual insights. 

• Cultural heritage : Janmashtami is a popular festival that is celebrated across India, with the biggest celebrations taking place in Mathura, Vrindavan, and Dwarka. 

Janmashtami, celebrating the birth of Krishna, included fasting as a spiritual and disciplined practice with religious and scientific benefits. This practice aimed to purify mind, body, and soul, aligning devotees with higher purposes.

Janmashtami is the abhishek ritual, performed at the exact moment of Krishna’s birth at midnight. During this sacred ceremony, the idol of Krishna is bathed in a mixture of milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, and water.

The ritual is accompanied by the sound of conch shells, ringing bells, and the chanting of Vedic hymns. Following the abhishek, devotees present 56 different food items, known as chappan bhog, to Krishna as a gesture of love and devotion. This offering is later distributed as prasad to the worshippers.

The festival is known for its distinctive rituals and traditions, including the popular Dahi Handi tradition in Maharashtra. In this tradition, young men form human pyramids to reach and break a pot filled with curd or butter that is hung high above the ground. This event symbolizes Krishna’s playful and mischievous nature, earning him the name “Makhan Chor” or “Butter Thief”.

HAPPY KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI