Janmashtmi Essay

India is a country that celebrates various festivals in various styles, and Indians are all around the world. This is why these festivals are celebrated in multiple countries where these communities live. Lord Krishna is one of the most popular Hindu gods, famous for his naughty and funny childhood stories and "Leela" (plays). Janmashtmi is a Hindu festival celebrated all around the World (a big celebration in Mathura, India). This festival is an event honoring the birth of Krishna, Vishnu's eighth manifestation. It is also famous as Shree Krishna Jayanti, Gokulajayanti, etc., all around the World.

According to the Hindu lunisolar calendar, it is observed on the night of Bhadrapada Masa on the eighth (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha ( at midnight). August or September on the Gregorian calendar corresponds to this. While there are many different popular functions, only a selected number is significant and essential, and Krishna Janmashtami is among such occasions. Lord Krishna is among Lord Vishnu's most renowned, popular, and worshipped incarnations. Hindus enjoy a great deal of love and excitement throughout this festival. He was born roughly 5,200 years ago. He took birth with a specific mission. In order to purge the world of bad and evil, Lord Krishna was born.

Particularly in the Vaishnavism tradition of the Hindu religion, it is a significant occasion of festivity. Fasting (upavasa), a vigil at night (Ratri Jagaran), and a celebration the following day (Mahotsav) are all part of the Janmashtami customs. There are also dance-dramas that recreate key moments from Krishna's life as it is told in the Bhagavata Purana, such as the Rasa Lila of Krishna Lila.

Along with sizeable Vaishnava and non-sectarian congregations spread throughout the nation (places like Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, and all the other states of India but the vast celebration occurs in Mathura and Vrindavan cities of Uttar Pradesh which is also known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna ). It is also said that Nanda (Krishna's Foster Father) distributed many gifts around the village, which is also celebrated as the "Nandautsav" in the whole city.

Lord Krishna and His Birth

Everyone in India is familiar with and loves hearing about how Lord Krishna was born. Devki and Vasudev conceived him at the jail. Devaki and Vasudev were the parents of Lord Krishna. Kansa was the ruler of Mathura at that time. He was Devaki's brother as well. Kansa jailed Devaki and Vasudev after learning the prediction that "the eighth son of Devaki will be the reason for Kansa's death." The most improbable setting-a prison-saw the birth of God. Vasudev, however, took Krishna away to his buddy Nand before Kansa could lay his hands on him.

Nanda (head of Gokol) and Yashoda became the foster parents of naughty child Krishna . Along with Krishna, Shesha Nag also took birth as Balram avatar and took on human form as the elder brother of Krishna, Rohini, Vasudeva's first wife, was his mother. After leaving his son to his buddy and brother-in-law Nanda, Vasudeva went back to Mathura with the newborn girl that Yashoda had given birth to. Kansa received the infant girl from him. The terrible king Kansa attempted to murder the infant daughter. The infant girl flew away and changed into Goddess Durga as he reached for his weapon. She also told him that the boy who would kill him had been born.

Krishna was saved in this manner, allowing him to grow up as a naughty but loved child in Vrindavan without danger. Despite the torrential downpour, Vasudeva transported Krishna to his home. He was raised with a lot of love and care by Nand's family. When Krishna grew up, he became powerful enough to kill his uncle Kansa who was cruel not just to his family but also unjust to his subject.

Celebration

The Janmashtami celebrations in Mathura and Vrindavan are world-renowned.

On Janmashtami, people keep fasts, chant devotional songs known as "Bhajan" of affection for Krishna, and maintain vigilance through the night to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna.

During the function, People clean and well-groomed the newborn forms and idols of Lord Krishna before putting them in the cradle after a special pooja at midnight, which is considered the birth time of Shri Krishna. The followers then share food and desserts to break their fast. Women make little footprints at their kitchen doors and homes as a representation of Krishna entering their homes.

Numerous worshippers and people also showcase the RasLeela to reenact the multiple events in Krishna's life. Additionally, it demonstrates Krishna's devotion and love for Radha.

To commemorate Krishna's birthday, the "Dahi Handi" competition is also organized all across India on this day. Boys group with the help of each other create human pyramids and attempt to topple a clay pot that is positioned around 35 feet above the ground. It is a thrilling event with plenty of heart-pounding moments. Everywhere a Dahi Handi is held, a large crowd gathers to support the competitors while also taking in the performance.

So that they can recreate a scene from Krishna's childhood where he used to steal Makhan in the village. Whereas Dahi Handi is a tradition practiced in Gujarat's Dwarka, Makhan Handi is practiced there as part of the festival. Dwarka is where it is thought that Krishna founded his reign.

Others attend the Krishna temples, such as the Dwarkadhish Mandir or Nathdwara, perform folk dances, sing bhajans. Farmers in the Dwarka district of Gujarat organize Krishna marches with groups dancing and singing and painting their bullock carts.

In Gujarat and Rajasthan, Janmashtami is a time when Dayaram's poetry and writings, a student of Vaishnavism's Pushtimarg, are incredibly well-liked for their carnival-style and lighthearted nature. Also, at every home, the event takes place in various manners. People decorate their homes through the use of lights. The temples are also crowded with tourists. They perform a variety of rites inside the shrine. In the meantime, everyone are subjected to the sound of chants and ringing all the time. People dance to a variety of religious tunes. In the end, it is among the most enjoyable festivals in the Hindu religion. Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita verses are held in significant Krishna temples.

A dance-drama performance called Rasa Lila or Krishna Lila is organized by numerous communities in northern India. In the Mathura region, northeastern Indian states such as Manipur and Assam, in addition to some regions including both Rajasthan and Gujarat, Rasa Lila is a ceremony that is particularly popular. Every year, a few weeks before Janmashtami, a number of amateur acting and dancing teams perform these drama-dance productions, with the help of their local communities. People decorate their homes with flowers and lights. On this day, the mantra "Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna- Krishna Hare Hare" is chanted. These mantras are not mentioned in the famous Gita.

In order to make the event more exciting and cheerful, Hindu families also dress their children up as Radha and Sri Krishna. They also put on numerous plays and dramas called Krishna Leela. The Krishna Leela brings more energy to the festivity. Children also exhibit a great deal of enthusiasm in celebrating this celebration, which is not just loved by adults. To demonstrate their devotion to Lord Krishna, they also observe fasts. It necessitates a great deal of affection and devotion to enjoying this holiday. In this way, there are different ways to celebrate the festival inside various houses, which are fun to watch.

Janmashtami Outside India

Not only in India but in many different countries Janmashtami is celebrated widely and in different ways and manners, here is a small list from a few of them.

Nepal

Hindus make up around 80% of the people of Nepal, who also commemorate Krishna Janmashtami. They fast till midnight in observance of Janmashtami. In Nepal, it is a public holiday. The worshippers chant bhajans and kirtans, as well as verses from the Bhagavad Gita. The Krishna temples are embellished. Krishna symbols can be found on posters, structures, and shops.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh observes Janmashtami as a public holiday. On Janmashtami, a parade begins at Dhakeshwari Temple, the country's temple, in Dhaka, and travels around Old Dhaka's streets. Although the parade began in 1902, it was put to an end in 1948. In 1989, the parade was revived.

Fiji

Since the very first Indian indentured workers arrived in Fiji, where at least 25% of the community follows Hinduism, this holiday has been celebrated there. In Fiji, Janmashtami is sometimes referred to as "Krishna Ashtami''. Given that the majority of Hindus in Fiji have forefathers who hail from Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar, this festival is particularly significant to them. The eight-day Janmashtami festivities in Fiji are exceptional because they culminate on the eighth day when Krishna was born. Hindus meet at homes and temples throughout these eight days with their "mandalas," or devotional groups, in the evenings and at night to chant the Bhagavat Purana, worship Krishna, and give out Prasadam.

Pakistan

Hindus from Pakistan observe Janmashtami by performing bhajans and listening to speeches on Krishna at the Shri Swaminarayan Temple in Karachi. In Pakistan, it is a discretionary vacation.

Reunion

On the French island of Réunion, a belief system of Catholicism and Hinduism can emerge among the Malabar people. Jesus Christ is thought to have been born on Janmashtami.

Mauritius

Bihar and Uttar Pradesh account for 60% of the population, with much more than 80% of them being Hindu. Gujarati and Sindhi traders, as well as foreign secretary IT professionals from India and employees from Sri Lanka, have strengthened this. Since the 18th century, bonded laborers from various castes who identified as Jahazi bhais have adored Krishna in this location. They enjoy sweets and kirtans as they celebrate the event. Television broadcasts play dramas and kirtans that depict Krishna's life.

Other Countries

Governor Janet Napolitano of Arizona was the first American official to send a text on Janmashtami while praising ISKCON. Hindus also take part in extensive celebrations of the holiday in the former Dutch province of Suriname as well as the Caribbean nations of Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Fiji, and Trinidad and Tobago. Many Hindus living in these nations are natives of Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar; they are the offspring of forced immigrants from those states and Bengal and Orissa.

The birthdate of ISKCON founding member A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, which comes the day after Krishna Janmashtami in the Vaishnava calendar, is also observed in ISKCON temples around the world on this day.

Conclusion

Every year, Hindus celebrate the festival of Janmashtami with great enthusiasm and excitement. India is always known as a country of festivals, and this is why there is a tremendous amount of excitement and happiness among people regarding these festivals. Many people even celebrate for 6-7 days the birth of Lord Krishna. Still, the love and craze for the festival, not only in India but in the entire world, but people also celebrate the festival with full enjoyment and excitement.