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Janmashtami is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Krishna. In Mathura, the city of Demon King Kansa, Lord Krishna was born in the prison of the King as the eighth child of Devaki on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Bhadrapada month. It was midnight and Moon was rising along with Rohini Nakshatra when he was born. Hence, Krishnashtami commemorates the birthday of Lord Krishna every year.
Note: Above Muhurat is given as per the Smarthas. Vaishnavas celebrate Gokulashtami on the second day. Smarthas and Vaishnavas have different beliefs about celebrating this festival.
As per the Hindu religious texts, Vaishnavas are those people who are initiated by the Vaishnava community. These people usually wear a small rosary of holy beads and put a Tilak on their forehead as the symbol of Vishnu's feet. Apart from these Vaishnava people, all other people are considered as the Smarthas. In other words, we can say that those who have not got initiated by the Vaishnava community are called Smartas.
Janmashtami brings a lot of joy, and you can experience it in places where it is celebrated. You can witness temples and idols of Lord Krishna decorated with garlands and lights and also hear the sweet sounds of gongs in the streets. Apart from this, special delicacies made on Janmashtami like Malpua, Panjiri, Peda, Makhan (white butter), etc., serve God, but you can delight in these after the puja/aarti. You can expect a lot of dancing, singing, and anticipation of the arrival of Lord Krishna during the night.
Here are a few highlights of Janmashtami
People fast on the day of Janmashtami. It is 'Nirjala' fast, meaning the devotees cannot drink even a sip of water. However, these days people choose to eat fruits or eat 'Satvik' food as it is difficult to go on an empty stomach for the whole day. The fast is completed on the next day.
On the day of the festival, the devotees sing 'Bhajans' to praise Lord Krishna. In addition, cultural programs are organized in various places, where kids dance to popular songs based on the festival.
Bhagavad Gita is a 700-verse holy scripture of Hindus. First, men and women gather in temples where the scripture is read and deciphered. Then, the devotees sit and learn the life lessons Bhagavad Gita offers.
One of the most exciting parts of the day is Dahi Handi. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal. A Handi (earthen pot) is hung with ropes high above the ground. The pot is filled with white butter, milk, ghee, and dry fruits. Young men gather to form a human pyramid. One of the team members climbs the pyramid to break the Handi. It is organized as a competition every year at various places .
Another intriguing event of the day is Ras Leela. Young actors prepare skits and play to depict the life of Lord Krishna. These plays capture significant events like his birth or the defeat of Kansa.
At the end of Dwapara Yuga, King Ugrasen used to rule Mathura. Ugrasen had a son called Kansa. For the throne, Kansa pushed his father Ugrasen into the prison. Sister of Kansa, Devakis marriage fixed with the Vasudeva of Yadava community. While Kansa was about to bid adieu to his sister after her wedding, he heard an oracle from the sky, O Kansa! This Devaki, who is so much beloved to you, her eighth child will be the reason of your death. Listening to this, Kansa got really furious and wanted to kill her. He thought that if Devaki died, she won’t be able to give birth to any child.
Vasudeva tried to convince Kansa that he has no fear from Devaki, but her eighth child. So, he will give her eighth child to him. Kansa agreed to this and locked Vasudeva and Devaki into his prison. Immediately, Narada appeared there and asked Kansa that how he will know that which one is the eighth pregnancy. The counting will begin from the first or the last. Accepting Narada’s viewpoint, Kansa killed all the children of Devaki mercilessly one by one.
Lord Krishna took birth in the Bhadrapada month on the eighth day of the dark fortnight when Rohini constellation was prevailing. As soon as he arrived into this world, the entire prison got filled with the light. Vasudeva and Devaki saw conch, Chakra (wheel weapon), mace, and Lord with four arms with lotus in a hand. The Lord said, Now, I will take the form of a child. Take me to the Nanda’s house immediately in Gokul and bring their newborn daughter to the Kansa. Vasudeva did exactly like this and offered the baby girl to the Kansa.
When Kansa tried to kill this girl, she just slipped from his hands and flew into the sky. Then, she turned into a Goddess and said, ßWhat will you get from killing me? Your enemy has reached to the Gokul. Seeing this, Kansa got shocked and panicked. He sent many demons to kill Sri Krishna. With his godly powers, Krishna killed all of them. When he grew up, he killed Kansa and sat over the throne of Ugrasen.
Worshippers keep fast till the midnight. At the midnight, the news of Krishna's birth is sent everywhere with the holy sounds of conches and bells. Krishna's Aarti is sung and holy food is distributed.
With this piece of information, we hope that on this pious occasion, Lord Krishna will bless you with immense bliss and prosperity.
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