What Is the Historical Significance of Janmastami in India
Why Is Janmastami Celebrated In India: Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. He is considered the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is worshipped across India. Also known as Gokul Ashtami, the festival falls on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha or the eighth day of the Bhadrapad month. Lord Krishna is said to have been born in a dungeon in present-day Mathura, Uttar Pradesh. He was born at midnight. Therefore, according to tradition, Krishna Janmashtami puja is performed in Nishita Kaal, which is around midnight.
What is the history of Janmashtami?
According to Hindu mythology, the eighth incarnation of Vishnu, Lord Krishna – the son of Devaki and Vasudeva – was born on Janmashtami to destroy the demon king Kansa of Mathura. Kansa was Devaki’s brother. The demon king had captured his sister and her husband and put them in prison so that he could kill their 7th son as well. But that didn’t happen.
At the time of the birth of Devaki’s seventh child, Balarama, the embryo mysteriously transferred from Devaki’s womb to that of Princess Rohini. When their eighth child, Krishna, was born, the entire palace fell into a deep sleep. The prison doors magically opened and Vasudeva rescued the baby and carried him to Nanda Baba and Yashoda’s home in Vrindavan. After the exchange, Vasudeva returned to the palace with a baby girl and handed her over to Kansa. When the evil king tried to kill the baby girl, she transformed into Durga and warned him about his doom. Krishna thus grew up in Vrindavan and later killed his maternal uncle Kansa. The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated as Janmashtami.
He became Arjun’s charioteer in the Mahabharata
Also in the Mahabharata, the description of Lord Krishna as Arjuna’s charioteer during the Kurukshetra war is the most widely recognized. He maintained Arjuna’s devotion to Dharma. Due to Lord Krishna’s reputation as the protector of Dharma and the destroyer of Adharma, his birth is celebrated nationwide on the day of Janmashtami.
Janmashtami is celebrated all over the country
The whole country comes together to celebrate Lord Krishna’s birthday with great zeal and enthusiasm. It is quite common to see children dressed up as little Krishna, sweet shops and markets adorned with beautiful pots, people preparing for plays (also called Raas Leela), and temples decorated with flowers. On this day, recitations of verses from the holy books, the Bhagavata Purana and the Bhagavad Gita, are also organised at Hindu shrines. In temples, the celebrations begin before dawn and continue throughout the day until midnight. Devotees organise kirtans and chant the name of the Lord. Many devotees decorate the idol of Lord Krishna. Incense sticks are lit, scriptures are read, and many people also fast for the entire day. Many delicious food dishes are also prepared on the occasion.
Devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate this day with great pomp
and show. Devotees of Lord Krishna celebrate this day with great devotion and reverence. This festival is also known as a symbol of divinity, love, and righteousness. His life and teachings inspire devotees to live a life based on Dharma (righteousness), Karma (action), and Bhakti (devotion).
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