Date
Krishna Janmashtami is observed on the eighth day of the dark half or Krishna Paksha of the month of Shraavana in the Hindu calendar, when the Rohini Nakshatra (Western star name: Aldebaran) is ascendent.
The festival falls sometime during August/September months of the Gregorian calendar.
The ritual is to fast the previous day (Saptami, seventh day), which is followed by a night-long vigil commemorating the birth of Krishna at night, and his immediate removal by his father Vasudeva to a foster-home for safe-keeping.
At midnight, the deity of the infant Krishna is bathed, placed in a cradle and worshipped.The fast is completed after aarti, a special prayer.
Krishna-Leela
In the early morning, ladies draw patterns of little childrens' feet outside the house with rice-flour paste, walking towards the house. This symbolizes the entry of the infant Krishna into his foster-home. This is performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and commemorate his love for Radha.While the Rasa Lila recreates the youthful Krishna's alliance with the milkmaids (gwale) of his native land, the "Dahi-Handi" tradition of Maharashtra re-enacts his childhood pranks, wherein Krishna and his young friends helped themselves to butter and other goodies in the houses of their neighbours. Clay pots called "Dahi-Handi", filled with curd and butter, are suspended high above the ground. To a constant chorus of Govinda, Govinda from all those present, teams of young men form human pyramids to reach the pot and break it.
The festival is thus celebrated with great joy and communal togetherness by one and all.
Srijayanthi or Gokulastami in South India
While it is the festival that is celebrated in North India as Janmashtami, in the South, the Iyengars celebrate the festival as Srijayanthi or Krisnajayanthi and the Iyers observe the festival as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami. In Karnataka in particular, Iyengars or the Srivaishnavas, (followers of their guru Ramanujacharya) make elaborate preparations for the festival. The idol of Lord Krishna is placed in a decorated mandapam (Wooden, square and open stand) with a checkered wooden ceiling on which the Bhakshanam (snacks and sweets in Tamil) that are specially prepared for the festival are suspended along with fruits considered the favourites of Lord Krishna. The pooja is performed late in the evening, as Krishna was born at midnight. Generally, most of the sweets and savouries are prepared on that day only. Normally, a kolam (rice flour drawings on ground) drawn specially for the occasion, called ezhakoolam, decorates the front yard.Kolam in Tamil, also called Rangoli in the rest of India, is drawn using soaked rice ground to a fine paste and mixed with lot of water. A white cloth is used to soak the paste and make the drawing. Krishna’s feet is drawn from the front yard to the pooja room, indicating that the lord is entering the devotees home.
Dahi handi (Human Towers) celebrations in Maharashtra
Janmaashtami, popularly known in Mumbai and Pune as Dahi Handi is celebrated with enormous zeal and enthusiasm. Various Handis are set up locally in several parts of the city, and groups of youngsters, called Govinda, travel around in trucks trying to break as many handis as possible during the day.
Many such Govinda Pathaks compete with each other, especially for the handis that dole out hefty rewards. The event, in recent times, has gathered a political flavor, and it is not uncommon for political parties, and rich community groups to offer prizes amounting to lakhs of rupees.
Some of the most famous handis are at Dadar, Mazgaon, Lalbaug and some in Thane a neighboring district of Mumbai and Babu Genu, Mandai in Pune.
Cash and gifts are offered for Govinda troops to participate; for over 4000 Handis in Mumbai, 700 Govinda troops compete for the prizes.
See also
External links
- Janamashtami in Vrindavan, Janamashtami celebrations at Shri Banke Bihari Temple, the most popular temple in Braj.
- Janmashtami, information about Sree Krishna Janmashtami festival.
- Shri Krishna Janmashtami, dedicated and comprehensive site with details on celebrations, customs and more.
- Janmashtami Shri Krishna Janmashtami information
- Dwarka Jagad Mandir, in depth information about Dwarka and Krishna Janmasthami
- Janmashtami in India
- Janmashtami festival in vrindavan ,Shri Radhavallabh Temple
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Last updated on Tuesday September 23, 2008 at 06:18:02 PDT (GMT -0700)
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