Janmashtami
Janmashtami is a festival dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is also known as Krishnastami or Gokulastami. Janmashtami occurs on the eighth day which is called Astami of a lunar fortnight in the month of Sharavan.
The incarnation of Vishnu is celebrated with great fervor all over India especially at Mathura and Brindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. The idol of the infant Krishna is bathed at midnight and is placed in a cradle.
On this day, in some parts of India, especially Maharashtra, youths celebrate it by breaking clay pots called 'Dahi-Handi', filled with curd and butter suspended high above the ground, young men and children form human pyramid to reach the pot and break it.
The festival is celebrated differently in North India. The temples at Vrindavan and Mathura witness a colorful, even boisterous celebration on this occasion, and festivities at these places may extend for several days.
The general pooja process begins early in the morning with devotees giving a bath or abhishek to Bal Gopal's idol with gangajal, ghee, water, honey and curd. The idol of Sri Krishna and Radha were decorated with brand new clothes and sparkling jeweleries.
Next, the idol of lord is offered bhog, the contents of bhog may vary. Fruits, kheer, pedha, milk, and milk products are made. There are devotees who offer 56 dishes called chappan bhog to Lord Krishna.
Thereafter a special pooja is performed. Bhajan sabha is organized for the devotees. Men and women were danced with the rhythm of 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna." After the entire pooja is over the devotees break their fast by having panchamrit. The time of breaking the fast may vary.
Janmashtami is a festival dedicated to Lord Krishna. It is also known as Krishnastami or Gokulastami. Janmashtami occurs on the eighth day which is called Astami of a lunar fortnight in the month of Sharavan.
The incarnation of Vishnu is celebrated with great fervor all over India especially at Mathura and Brindavan where Lord Krishna spent his childhood. The idol of the infant Krishna is bathed at midnight and is placed in a cradle.
On this day, in some parts of India, especially Maharashtra, youths celebrate it by breaking clay pots called 'Dahi-Handi', filled with curd and butter suspended high above the ground, young men and children form human pyramid to reach the pot and break it.
The festival is celebrated differently in North India. The temples at Vrindavan and Mathura witness a colorful, even boisterous celebration on this occasion, and festivities at these places may extend for several days.
The general pooja process begins early in the morning with devotees giving a bath or abhishek to Bal Gopal's idol with gangajal, ghee, water, honey and curd. The idol of Sri Krishna and Radha were decorated with brand new clothes and sparkling jeweleries.
Next, the idol of lord is offered bhog, the contents of bhog may vary. Fruits, kheer, pedha, milk, and milk products are made. There are devotees who offer 56 dishes called chappan bhog to Lord Krishna.
Thereafter a special pooja is performed. Bhajan sabha is organized for the devotees. Men and women were danced with the rhythm of 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna." After the entire pooja is over the devotees break their fast by having panchamrit. The time of breaking the fast may vary.