Janmashtami

Janmashtami

Which god worship on the occasion of Janmashtami?

Lord Krishna, Vishnu’s eighth avatarworship on the occasion of Janmashtami.

What are the other names for this puja? (If any)

Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Dahi Handi, Saatam Aatham, Ashtami Rohini, Sree Jayanti, Srikrishna Jayanti.

History of the above occasion

Janmashtami begins with the birth of Lord Krishna. On this day, Krishna was born and he was the eighth son of Devaki and Vasudeva. He belong to the Mathura in U.P. Before Krishna’s birth, Kansa was told that his sister’s child will going to kill him, so he locked husband and wife and he killed their first seven childrens but after this their eighth son born and this is Lord Krishna and with his birth, Janmashtami begins and celebrated by people all over the country.

What is the significance of the above occasion?

Janmashtami has a great importance as Lord Krishna was born on this day and he is considered as a powerful and strong god so people worship and remember him, observe fast for the whole day to get his blessings and good wishes.

What are the things or material required for the worship of Janmashtami?

Idol or Statue of Lord Krishna, Roli, Rice, Prasad, Diya, agarbatti, book of aarti.

What is the vidhi (method) of worship?

First of all Roli, rice are applied on the idol of Krishna, with this diya and agarbatti is also lighted. Then Prasad is offered to him and then aarti of Krishna sing by people. Puja is always done at 12’o clock night as Krishna was born this time. After puja, people break their fast and enjoy their meals.

How to celebrate this occasion?

This occasion is celebrated at a grand level by making and decorating Jhankis in localities, temples, home, by performing dramas like Ras lila, by dancing, singing, keeping fast for the whole day, doing Kirtans, Japa, by reading Bhagwad Gita.

In Mumbai, Dahi Handi is celebrated in which no. of young men stand in such a way so that human tower can be build and one of them moves to the top of the tower and break the hangingearthen pot full of butter by hitting the same with the help of any blunt object and butter spread on the humans. Different groups are formed who compete in Dahi Hnadi for some money or prizes.

In Dwarka, Gujaratthis festival is celebrated by people by visiting the temple of Dwarkadhish.

In Jammu and Kashmir, this occasion is celebrated by kite flying.

In Odissa and West Bengal, people celebrate this occasion by worshipping Lord Krishna and by keeping fast for the whole day.

In Manipur, it is celebrated in the two temples, first in Govinda Ji temple and second in International Society for Krishna Consciousness temple.

In Tamil Nadu, people celebrate this puja by making floors beautiful by decorating them with Kolam, by drawing the footprints of Lord Krishna from temple to their house which indicates that Krishna comes to their house. They also sang songs and Bhagwad Geeta is also read. Fruits, betel, flowers are offered to god.

What are the timings to celebrate this puja or occasion in a year?

As per the Hindu calendar, this puja comes on Ashtami of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Shravana. It usually comes in August or September.

In which parts of the country, this puja is considered as more important?

All over the country it is celebrated by each and every person but in Maharashtra- Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Uttar Pradesh- Gokul, Mathura, Vrindavan, Gujarat- Dwarka, Jammu and Kashmir, it is celebrated at a large scale.