Krishna Janmashtami: Celebrations and Significance

      After the eight days of Raksha Bandhan, Krishna Janmashtami festival take place in the month of Bhadrapad (August-September) Krishna Ashtami. When people observe fast throughout the day and take food only when the moon is seen. On this day Bhadrapad Krishna Ashtami (August-September) at 12 midnight, Devaki, the wife of Vasudeva gave birth to Krishna, in the prison of Kansa, at Mathura.

Krishna Janmashtami

      Krishna was an incarnation of Vishnu and was personified for the destruction of the demons (Asuras). How Krishna was rescued from the prison is a very popular and interesting legend. Just before midnight, Vishnu appeared in the prison cell, where Vasudeva and Devaki were kept chained. Both got up and paid their homage to god Vishnu. The God informed that soon after there shall be complete darkness, all guards will sleep, all doors will open. Then Vasudeva should take away the new born across Yamuna to Gokul at Nand Baba's house. The god before disappearing said that now he would take birth in person through Devki's womb as a baby son Krishna! So it happened. Krishna, the newly born personified incarnation of Vishnu, was laid by the side of sleeping Yasodhara; who had given birth to a daughter that day. The two babies were exchanged. Krishna remained with Nanda and Yasodhara and the daughter came to Vasudeva and Devaki. When Vasudeva reached back safely, the gates closed and the guards awakened. The birth of the daughter was announced and Kansa eame to the prison. He picked up the new born girl and threw her down on a stone. Surprisingly the girl did not fall on the stone, but flew to the sky announcing to Kansa, that your killer has arrived safely in Gokul. Thereafter Kansa tried all his magical, demoniac powers to destroy Krishna, but to no avail. Ultimately he died at the hands of Krishna.

      A great festival to celebrate the anniversary of Krishna's birth is held in August at Gokul, which is situated on the banks of the river Yamuna, about seven miles from Mathura. The spot is famous as the place to which the infant Krishna was brought by his father and exchanged with the newly born daughter of Yashoda, wife of Nanda, to save him from his uncle, the giant Kansa, who threatened to kill him.

      Near by at Mahaban, is an interesting temple called the palace of Nanda, the foster-father of the changeling Krishna, and here relics of the god's infancy are preserved, which are inspected with reverential awe by thousands of pilgrims year after year. The god's cradle, a rude structure covered in red calico and tinsel stands in a pillared hall, and a blue-black statue of the sacred child stands under a canopy against the wall.

      One pillar of the temple is said to have been polished by the hand of Krishna's foster mother Jasodha, as she leaned against it while churning butter for the household, and the actual churn she used is shown, consisting of a long bamboo sticking out of a carved stone. Other pillars have been equally polished by the pious hands of the streams of Vishnu worshippers who have passed through the hall all down the ages.

      The temple guides, point out a spot on the wall where the sportive milkmaids are said to have hidden Krishna's flute, but if you find one in a communicative mood, he will tell you that the old temple was destroyed and re-erected by Aurangzeb from ancient Hindu and Buddhist materials, to serve as a mosque.

      The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and eagerness. Streets are illuminated, images of Krishna are installed at places and in central places. Worship and offerings are made, cold drinks are liberally served to the passersby. It is a great occasion for meeting relatives and friends. Sound and light tableaus are installed.

      People visit temples and take their turn in pulling the string of the cradle in which Krishna's image has been installed. It is considered auspicious.