SRI JANMASHTAMI - THE APPEARANCE DAY OF LORD KRISHNA, THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD Janmashtami, the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great devotion in the August/September months, on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon, in the whole of north India. Temples and homes are beautifully decorated and lit. Attractive featurea of the celebrations are cribs and other decorations depicting stories of Lord Krishna’s childhood. There are five main “Jhankis” of Janmashtami which depict the entire sequence of events from Lord Krishna’s birth to His being discovered in Gokul. The “Jhankis” include the birth of Krishna in jail or dungeon, Vasudev carrying Krishna to safety across the river Yamuna amidst thunder and lightning, Vasudev’s return to the jail, Kansa killing Yashoda’s daughter and finally the little Krishna in the cradle in Gokul. “Jhankis” are created out of dolls dressed up as kids, men and women with lehangas, chunnis, dhotis & kurtas. Rasalila of every type are also performed – Janmalila, Shankarlila, Putnalila and Nagalila. In the evening bhajans are sung which end at midnight, the auspicious moment when Lord Krishna appeared. Thereafter Maha Aarti is done, prasad distributed and flowers showered on the Deity of the Lord. CELEBRATIONS AT BRAJA BHOOMI Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna, where His parents lived in captivity of the evil Kansa and He as a young boy came and vanquished His maternal uncle Kansa to ascend the throne and free His parents, celebrates Janmashtami with great enthusiasm. The main celebrations are performed at the Dwarkadhish temple, Mathura in the form of Jhulanotsava and the Ghatas during the entire month of Shravan. The ghatas are a unique feature of the month long celebrations. During the ghatas of a particular colour the whole temple is covered with decoration in the same colour. Even the Lord dresses up in the same colour. The twin cities of Mathura-Vrindavan takes on a festive look and spirit of devotion runs high among the people. It was on the banks of the Yamuna river where Lord Krishna played during His childhood and indulged in pranks and tricks with His friends and the gopies. There are about 400 temples dedicated to Lord Krishna in this sacred city and the major festivities are held at the Banke Bihari, Rangaji, Shri Krishna Balram temple and Gopinath temple. The Rasalila of Braj is thematically the basis of many performing arts. Lord Krishna was born in the Dwarapa Yuga which came just before the Kali Yuga and Janamasthami, His apperance day on the Ashtami Paksh or the 8th day of the new moon fortnight in the month of Bhadra some time in July - August. The Jhankis (tableaux) depicting many significant scenes from Lord Krishna’s life are the intrinsic part of Janmasthami. Devotees also make beautiful Jhulans (Cradles) for the Baby Krishna. In some parts of India, young men break the Matkas (Earthen Pots) filled with butter and curds. The most important tableux is that of Baby Krishna. A beautiful Deity of Baby Krishna is placed on a cradle, which is rocked to recreate scenes from Krishna’s infancy. The devotees believe that anyone who makes a wish while rocking the cradle in which the Lord is, his or her wish will be granted on this day. Other popular Jhankis are Kaaliya Mardan(vanquishing the black snake Kali Naga), Kansha vadha ( Killing Kansha) and lifting the Govardhan Parbhat. SRI RADHA KRISHNA In Brindavan, every year the Raasleelas or the folk theatre acting out Krishnas Lifes stories begin much before the Janmasthami day. These Raasleelas are staged by professional drama troupes or even young children. These dramas characterised by colorful costumes and equally colorful backgrounds. Raasleelas are usually accompanied by musicians and are very popular among the people. The language spoken by the actors and the actresses is the Brajbhasha but sometimes Hindi is also used. RITUALS The ceremony of worship is a very simple affair. The priests chant holy mantras and bathe the Deity with Gangajal (water from the holy Ganges river), milk, ghee (clarified butter), oil, and honey pouring all these from a conch shell. Only after the ceremony is over, the devotees break their daylong fast . During Janmashtami, the devotees keep awake and sing bhajans till midnight, the moment when Krishna appeared on Planet Earth. Devotees fast all day and eat only after the midnight ceremony. Often the image of the baby Krishna is placed on a swing and bathed with charanamrita (holy water). Midnight prayers are performed. The sound of hymns and religious songs extol the greatness of Krishna. This festival occurs on the eight day (Astami) of a lunar fortnight hence the name (Krishna+astami). Krishnastami which comes sometime in August is celebrated over two days. The first day is Krishnastami or Gokulastami. The second day is called Kalastami or more popularly Janmastami. At midnight between the first and second days the ‘birth of Lord Krishna is replicated with pomp and ceremony. Delicacies are prepared from milk and curds that Krishna loved. The more popular ceremony of Dahi-handi (breaking a pot full of milk and its derivatives} takes place on the second day. This ceremony is so popular that Krishnastami has come to be synonymous with the ceremony of Dahi-handi. THE CEREMONY OF DAHI HANDI OR POT BREAKING. During this ceremony a large earthenware pot is filled with milk, curds, butter, honey fruits etc. and is suspended from a height between 20 to 40 feet. Sporting young men and boys come forward to claim this prize. To do so they construct a human pyramid by standing over each other’s shoulders till the pyramid is tall enough to enable the topmost person to reach the pot and claim the contents after breaking it. Normally, currency notes are tied to the rope by which the pot is suspended. This prize money is distributed among those who participate in the pyramid building. In His childhood, Lord Krishna along with His mates used to raid the houses of His neighbours in search of milk and butter. It is a common practice in India to tie up food articles in a pot suspended from the beams of the roof so as to prevent domestic animals like cats and dogs from despoiling them. We are told that every day after the men and womenfolk left for their farms, the naughty and adventurous Krishna along with a band of His mates would build a human pyramid and plunder the caskets of milk and butter much to the chagrin of the owners. KRISHNA LILA The story of Lord Krishna reflects life in a pastoral society. Cattle are the principal means of subsistence. The activity of people revolves around tending cows, milking them, making curds, butter etc. Krishna Himself has names displaying a pastoral charecter. Govinda and Gopala as He is also known, mean cowherd. In Sanskrit ‘go’ means cow. Krishna is always shown with His flute (Bansuri). He is considered to be the Maestro of Music and is the patron God of Indian musicians of the traditional schools (Gharanas), irrespective of their religion.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 08:37:08 +0000
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