Janmashtami: Devotees celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna
India celebrates the auspicious Janmashtami today across the lengths and breadths of the soil. The day is dedicated to the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna, the divine hero of Bhagavata Purana. The day is also popularly known as Janmashtami and Gokulashtami. Devotees all across the country will chant the divine prayers of Lord Krishna and remember his profound ‘Leelas’ during the occasion. Dramatic plays on the life of Krishna and his teachings will be featured all around, especially in the holy cities of Vrindavan and Mathura.
Parents are busy with grooming their kids to take part in processions in nearby temples with utmost fervor and show. Devotional songs shall be sung among groups in residential societies and villages. The Krishna tale is recited on the day signifying the supreme power of Lord Krishna. Miniatures of a Lord Krishna placed in small cradles are installed in the temples, homes and public gatherings and devotees offer aarti and prayers and bhajans to their deity. Camphor, jingle, bells and flowers will altogether set the devotional ambience for devotees.
The Bhagavatha verses which is rich with Krishna’s quotes and his values of life is ideal to be recited in the occasion of Janmashtami. According to the Hindu statements, whenever there is predominance of bad over good, Lord Krishna will reincarnate to destroy them. The holy occasion of Janmashtami is also known for the celebration of Dahi Handi, where an earthern pot filled with milk and butter is hung on the top using coir. People will form a pyramid like structure and reach out of the pot to break it handi.
The event is performed by a lot of aggression and devotion in various parts of the country. It also mimics the Lord Krishna’s immense love towards butter and his funny tales of stealing butter from the houses of ‘gopis’. Due to this, Lord Krishna has also been known as Makhan Chor. Take all the morals of the teachings of Lord Krishna’s life and cherish all the stories with devotion and let prosperity and happiness surround you on this Janmastami 2016!