Festival of Hindu, Krishnashtami ( Janmaashtami)

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Krishnashtami ( Janmaashtami)

Krishnashtami ( Janmaashtami)

• Birthday of Bhagwan Krishna, the eighth child of Vasudev and Devki

• Sage Narad told Kansh (the King of Mathura and the maternal uncle of Krishna) that the eighth child of Devki would kill him

• Kansh, therefore, imprisoned Vasudev and Devki and killed all his seven children

• Krishna, just after birth, was removed to Gokul from the prison and was substituted by a girl child of Nand and Yashoda of Gokul

• Kansh wanted to kill the girl child but she slipped from his hands and went into the

  

  Krishnashtami ( Janmaashtami)

  sky

• She was worshipped as goddess Vindhyavasni

• Clay idols of child Krishna are worshipped with great enthusiasm

• This festival is celebrated on the eighth day after full moon in Bhadra generally in the month of August

• In Mithilanchal, the day is celebrated by installing the idol of Krishna and Radha
• At places idols of Nand and Yashoda as well as Rukmini, Satyabhama are also installed

• Even without idols, Shri Krishna, Balbhadra (brother), Vasudeva (father), Nand (foster

  

  Krishnashtami ( Janmaashtami)

  father), Yashoda (foster mother), Deoki (mother), Rohini (wife of Vasudeva and mother of Balram), Subhadra (sister), Durga (the girl child whom Kansa tried to kill as the eighth child of Deoki & Vasudeva), Rukmini (wife), Satyabhma (wife)   are worshipped by shastric rites and the idols are immersed in rivers the next day

• Generally men,women, even children and old persons observe Nirjala Brat for the whole day and night, or at least fast for the day and partake fruits and milk in the night. They may also observe Ratri Jagran and spend the night in religious discourse, singing Bhajans and Kirtan

• The day on which this festival is celebrated has two interpretations : 

  

  Krishnashtami ( Janmaashtami)

• The Grihasta celebrate it as Krishnashtami. Hence, the day is decided by the fact that Ashtami must be the Tithi at Sunrise time (Udaya Tithi). It may be succeeded by Navami but never preseded by Saptami on the day. This is the common way of celebration.
• Sanyasis and Vaishnavs celebrate Krishna Jayanti Brat and the day is decided by the fact that Ashtami must encompass Rohini Nakshtra at Moon-rise time (near midnight). Not very common