INDIA: Krishna Janmashtami or Gokulashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Lord Vishnu (the protector).
People around the globe celebrate Krishna Janmashtami with great enthusiasm and devotion.
The day commences with the midnight birth of Lord Krishna at Ashtami tithi and devotees offer prayers and seek blessings from the divinity. Many people observe fasting on the day and various rituals are performed in the temples.
The day falls on the eighth night (Ashtami) of the Krishna-Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Shravan. This year it will be a two-day celebration starting from August 18, 9:21 pm to August 19, 10:59 pm.
Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festival Nandotsava, which celebrates the occasion when Nanda distributed gifts to the community in honor of the birth.
Significance of Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami unfolds the glorious anecdote of victory over sin and heinous acts. This festival has a great significance in the Hindu religion, as observing fast and worshipping on this day brings prosperity and good health in one’s life.
Temples decorate floral cradles and ornaments Lord Gopala with garlands, coloured dresses complementing it with a flute and peacock feather. Many devotees and priests offer panchamrit (a blend of five elements i.e: milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar) bath to Lord Krishna.
Lord Krishna took birth in the materialistic world as the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudev. Lord Krishna is considered to be Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient in the Universe.
As per Hindu chronology, Lord Krishna appeared on the 1st day of Brahma at the end of Dwapara and in the 28th Yuga of 7th Manu.
He came into the world to demolish the evil rule of his own maternal uncle ‘Kansa’. The universe manifested and considered Kansa’s death from Devaki’s eighth son. The Lord of all divinity teaches a lesson to his own uncle by winning a battle against him.
The stories of Krishna’s early life portray him as a cow herder, a naughty child known as Makhan Chor (the butter thief) for his antics, and a protector who wins the hearts of the people of Gokul and Vrindavana.
He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love. Lord Krishna is one of the most popular and widely revered among Indian divinities.
Lord Krishna is often depicted playing the bansuri while sporting a crown or wreath made of peacock feathers.
He is acknowledged with many names around the globe like Makhan chor, Gopala, Govinda, Bansidhar, Gopikanath, and Devakinandan.
Lord Krishna’s glory is unsurpassable. His story is a source of joy and inspiration for people from all walks of life.
Also Read: Raksha Bandhan 2022: Hindu Mythological Significance of This Day
