You can participate in the various other means of celebration of this Janmashtami festival like Ras-Lila, which re-creates the youthful days of Krishna, and the Dahi Handi celebrate God’s playful and mischievous side where teams of young men form human towers to form high-ranging pot of curd and break it. Janmashtami is widely celebrated in many parts of India where states like Maharashtra, Assam, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh are the most notable.
Amongst various festivals in India, Janmashtami is an important festival. The festival celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. Janmashtami is also known as Srijayanti, Krishnasthami, and Gokulashtami. As per the Hindu calendar, this festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the month of Bhadon. Devotees of Lord Krishna all around the world celebrate this festival with lots of faith and devotion. Janmashtami is one such principal festival of the Hindus that is celebrated across India with much zeal and gusto. This festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna, considered the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, who is one of the three Gods of the Hindu Trinity. Lord Krishna, who was born on the 8th day of ‘Krishnapakkha’ or dark fortnight in the Hindu month of ‘Shravana’, is the son of King Vasudeva and Devaki Devi.
Where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s appearance. Events include kirtan, singing the Lord’s name along with other devotees; and japa, private, more intimate prayer. Some devotees cook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called Abhisheka. Sometimes taking over two hours, this is performed with great pomp. Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored altar. The excitement builds, and a rousing kirtan ensues. Also, it is celebrated by many in their own homes.
On this auspicious day, people keep fast and wake up till midnight. The altar is beautifully decorated with flowers and rangolis. Holy idols of Lord Krishna are placed in the cradles or swings known as ‘Jhulan’. They are even decked with new apparel and jewelry. The celebration of Janmashtami varies from place to place. People of Mathura and Vrindavan celebrate this festival with joy, gaiety, and devotion. Rash Lila and Dahi Handi ceremonies are performed in many places in India. In Tamil Nadu, Uriadi is the major event performed on this day. Devotees of Lord Krishna visit temples, offer prayers as well as sing or listen to devotional songs.
