Janmashtami this year was celebrated on 28th August 2013.
Hindus celebrate Krisha Janmashtami(dispelling of darkness and evil) also known as Krishna Jayanti or Gokulashtami, is the festival which marks the birth of Lord Krishna and it falls on the eight day (ashtami)
of the dark fortnight(Krishna Paksha). The celebrations commence at midnight as according to legends Lord Krishna is believed to have been born at that time of the night.
Lord Krishna was born inside a prison cell as his parents were imprisoned by his cruel uncle Kansa. The moment Krishna was born the guards fell into a deep sleep and the prison chains and door flew open. Lord Krishna was the eight child of chief of 'Shooras' Vasudev and Devaki.They lived in the cruel kind Kansa's Kingdom where the king was warned by a divine sage Narada that if he did not mend his ways, he would be slain by Vasudev's eight child, a son. To foil the prophecy, Kansa confined the couple to his palace dungeons and slain every child born to them. However the seventh child Balaram was smuggled out of the palace before he could be killed and brought up Vasudev's elder wife, Rohini. To fool Kansa they presented him with a dead newborn baby girl.
Soon Devaki was expecting her eight child. On the eight day of the dark half of the month of 'Shravan' amidst thunder, lightning and torrential rains she gave birth to a boy-child. Vasudeva managed to flee prison with his new born child. Carrying the holy child in a small basket across the river Yamuna, he handed him to Ganga Charya, the family priest and Nanda, the chief of Yadavas. The new born daughter of Nanda was brought back to the prison. Not expecting anything amiss, Kansa assumed that the sage's prophecy had proven false. In the meanwhile, Lord Krishna grew up in Gokul and later led the battle to victory at Kurukshetra.
Goans celebrate Gokulashtami in different ways, houses are decorated with Rangoli and flowers.
Footprints resembling those of children are drawn fromn the doorway to the inner room to symbolize the child Lord Krishna entering the house. Similarly butter and milk products, the favorite of Lord Krishna are offered on the occasion. A variety of sweets, 'payasam' and dishes made of dry rise are offered to the Lord. Several people also venerate Lord Krishna's 'Tribhangi' idols at their homes. Devotional songs, dances and religious rituals mark festivities. The idol of the infant Lord Krishna is places in a decorated cradle in homes and temples.
Lord Krishna is one of many avatars of Lord Vishnu who appeared in the mortal world to destroy evil.
Hindus celebrate Krisha Janmashtami(dispelling of darkness and evil) also known as Krishna Jayanti or Gokulashtami, is the festival which marks the birth of Lord Krishna and it falls on the eight day (ashtami)
of the dark fortnight(Krishna Paksha). The celebrations commence at midnight as according to legends Lord Krishna is believed to have been born at that time of the night.
Lord Krishna was born inside a prison cell as his parents were imprisoned by his cruel uncle Kansa. The moment Krishna was born the guards fell into a deep sleep and the prison chains and door flew open. Lord Krishna was the eight child of chief of 'Shooras' Vasudev and Devaki.They lived in the cruel kind Kansa's Kingdom where the king was warned by a divine sage Narada that if he did not mend his ways, he would be slain by Vasudev's eight child, a son. To foil the prophecy, Kansa confined the couple to his palace dungeons and slain every child born to them. However the seventh child Balaram was smuggled out of the palace before he could be killed and brought up Vasudev's elder wife, Rohini. To fool Kansa they presented him with a dead newborn baby girl.
Soon Devaki was expecting her eight child. On the eight day of the dark half of the month of 'Shravan' amidst thunder, lightning and torrential rains she gave birth to a boy-child. Vasudeva managed to flee prison with his new born child. Carrying the holy child in a small basket across the river Yamuna, he handed him to Ganga Charya, the family priest and Nanda, the chief of Yadavas. The new born daughter of Nanda was brought back to the prison. Not expecting anything amiss, Kansa assumed that the sage's prophecy had proven false. In the meanwhile, Lord Krishna grew up in Gokul and later led the battle to victory at Kurukshetra.
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| Lord Krishna |
Goans celebrate Gokulashtami in different ways, houses are decorated with Rangoli and flowers.
Footprints resembling those of children are drawn fromn the doorway to the inner room to symbolize the child Lord Krishna entering the house. Similarly butter and milk products, the favorite of Lord Krishna are offered on the occasion. A variety of sweets, 'payasam' and dishes made of dry rise are offered to the Lord. Several people also venerate Lord Krishna's 'Tribhangi' idols at their homes. Devotional songs, dances and religious rituals mark festivities. The idol of the infant Lord Krishna is places in a decorated cradle in homes and temples.
Lord Krishna is one of many avatars of Lord Vishnu who appeared in the mortal world to destroy evil.
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