Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival celebrated with great devotion and valour in India. Taken from the Sanskrit language the word, means ‘Lord Krishna’s birth (janm) on the ‘eigth day’ (ashtami) of Shravan maas (month) according to the Indian Calendar. Lord Krishna was born in extraordinary circumstances in the 8th month from his mother, Devaki (a rare event). His father was Vasudev. It was predicted that Devaki’s brother, Kansa would be killed by her 8th son. Hence, on the night of Krishna’s birthday, there were very tumultuous rains. Vasudev was able to save his son from the clutches of Kansa because he had killed all their earlier children. Vasudev exchanged him with Yasodha’s female child Krishna. According to the Bhagavad Purana, Lord Krishna was born not by sexual union but by the divine ‘mental transmission’ from the mind of Vasudev into the womb of Devaki.
Later, the prophecy proved correct and Kansa was killed by the Lord, who is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna temples are situated at Vridhavan, Mathura in U.P. and Dwarka in Gujarat as the most pious ones. In U.P. and Maharashtra, Gujarat and other parts of the country, the festival is celebrated with lot of fun and rituals. Dahi Handi, Krishna Janm, etc. are to name a few.
It is a two day event. On the first day, preparations for the birth are carried out till midnight when he is born. The next day the celebrations of his birth are enjoyed.
Dahi Handi is a vessel made of mud filled with dahi, meaning ‘curd’. It may even be well grinded milk called ‘Makkhan’. Boys all over the state of Maharashtra bravely climb on one another to reach the top to reach and break the handi and eat the dahi. Though this is politicized, but the best part is the unity it signifies.
Uttar Pradesh, Lord Krishna is dressed in beautiful clothes and born in well decorated ‘Paalna’.
Lord Krishna beloved is Radha though he was married more than a ten thousand times. He befriended Arjun during Mahabharata to fight his family as his Karma. The festival marks the victory of goodness over evil.
