Shree Krishna Janmashtami: A Festival of Joy and Devotion

Shree Krishna Janmashtami is a festival that marks the birth of Shree Krishna, the ninth avatar or incarnation of Shree Vishnu, the supreme god of Hinduism. It is celebrated on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) of the Hindu month of Bhadrapada, which usually falls in August or September.

Shree Krishna is one of the most popular and revered deities in Hinduism. He is known for his divine qualities such as wisdom, compassion, courage, love, and playfulness. He is also the hero of the epic Mahabharata, where he plays a pivotal role as the charioteer and guide of Arjuna, one of the Pandava brothers. He also reveals his universal form and delivers his famous discourse on dharma (duty), karma (action), and bhakti (devotion) in the Bhagavad Gita, a sacred scripture of Hinduism.

Shree Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion by Hindus all over the world. The festivities begin on the previous day with fasting, singing, dancing, and reciting stories and verses from the life of Shree Krishna. At midnight, the exact hour of his birth, devotees perform puja (worship) and offer prayers, flowers, fruits, sweets, and milk to the idol or picture of Shree Krishna. They also rock the cradle of baby Krishna and adorn him with new clothes and ornaments. They then break their fast by sharing prasada (the god’s leftovers, which carry his grace) with their family and friends.

Special features of Shree Krishna Janmashtami

Dahi Handi:

This is a fun-filled event where young men form human pyramids to reach and break earthen pots filled with curd that are hung high above the ground. This is inspired by Shree Krishna’s childhood prank of stealing butter from the pots of his foster mother Yashoda and other cowherd women.

Raas Leela:

This is a dance-drama that depicts the love story of Shree Krishna and his consort Radha, along with their companions, the gopis (cowherd girls). It is performed by artists dressed in colorful costumes and jewelry, accompanied by music and songs. It showcases the various aspects of Shree Krishna’s personality such as romance, mischief, valor, and divinity.

Kite Flying:

This is a popular activity that symbolizes the freedom and joy of Shree Krishna’s spirit. People fly colorful kites of various shapes and sizes in the sky and compete with each other to cut each other’s kites. It also represents the victory of good over evil and the elevation of one’s soul to higher realms.

Shree Krishna Janmashtami is not only a festival of celebration but also a festival of learning and inspiration. It teaches us to follow the path of dharma (righteousness), karma (selfless action), and bhakti (devotion) as shown by Shree Krishna in his life. It also reminds us to embrace our inner child and enjoy life with innocence, enthusiasm, and gratitude.

I hope you enjoyed reading this blog post on Shree Krishna Janmashtami. Happy Shree Krishna Janmashtami! 🙏