Janmashtami

Radhe Radhe japo chale aayenge beehari

Aayenge bihari chale aayenge beehari

Radhe Radhe

This is one of the famous songs that people sing on the occasion of Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna the eighth avatar (Incarnation) of Lord Vishnu. This religious festival is celebrated all over India in the month of August/September on the ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the eighth day in the month of Bhadon according to the Hindu calendar with great devotion and zeal. Janmashtami is also known as Gokulashtami, Krishnasthami, Srijayanti.

The Janmashtami of Mathura and Vrindavan, the places where Lord Krishna had spent his childhood, are famous all over the world. Devotees from across the world come to these pious places to celebrate Janmasthami. On this auspicious occasion, temples and homes are beautifully decorated and illuminated. Night long prayers are offered and religious hymns are sung in temples. The priests chant holy mantras and bath the idol with Panchamrit which comprises of Gangajal (water from the holy Ganges River), milk, ghee (clarified butter), curd, and honey pouring all these from a conch shell. After this bath the idol of the infant Krishna (also known as Balmukund) is placed in a cradle. Devotional songs and dances mark the celebration of this festive occasion all over Northern India.

The temples especially in Vrindavan witness an extravagant and colourful celebration on this occasion. Raslila is performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and to commemorate his love for Radha.

Legends

“Yada Yada Hi Dharmasya

Glanirva Bhavathi Bharatha

Abhyuthanam Adharmasya

Tadatmanam Srijami Aham”

A shloka taken from Bhagvat Gita where Shri Krishna while addressing Arjuna says “Whenever there is decay of righteousness, O! Bharata and a rise of unrighteousness, then I will manifest myself”. And so did he.

As mentioned in this shloka and also according to the legends, the birth of Lord Krishna took place under extraordinary circumstances. He was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who comes to the world to get rid of all evil demons.

He was born at midnight stroke on a dark, rainy night to 'Devaki' and 'Vasudev' who had been imprisoned by Devaki's brother Kansa.

It had been foretold that the eighth son of Devaki would kill the evil king Kansa. Upon hearing this prophesies, Kansa had his sister put into prison.

He killed her seven children one by one but when Krishna was born, there was divine intervention to save the life of baby Krishna.

The guards had fallen into deep slumber and were unable to inform their master about the newborn child.

An heavenly voice commanded Vasudev to take the baby to Gokul and exchange with the newborn baby of Nanda and Yashoda. The shackles and the prison gates opened miraculously and Vasudev carried the child in a small basket, through the waters of Yamuna. As it was a dark stormy night, the waters of
Yamuna were raging but parted to let the carrier of the divine Krishna pass. A huge snake known as Adisesha with 2000 hoods, glided behind them, its hoods formed a protective canopy over the child.

When Vasudev returned back with Nanda's child the shackles fastened and the doors closed and the guards awakened. Kansa came and picked up the child to hurl it to the wall and kill him but somehow the baby slipped from his grasp and took the form of a Goddess laughing at Kansa, she vanished after telling him that the one who would kill him had already taken birth and was elsewhere. This Goddess was Yogmaya.

As a little boy, Krishna was the heartbeat of Gokul, a mischievous prankster who was favourite amongst the gopikas. He used to steal curd and butter from the houses of gopikas. Even though he was a child, he performed several miracles. His exploits are now the immortal legends of Braj. He killed a number of 'asuras'(devils), vanquished the Kali Nag and later he killed Kansa as it had been foretold.

Janamashtami – The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna is thus celebrated by Hindus mainly all over the globe.

Krishna temples

There are thousands of temples of lord Krishna spread not only in India but all over the world. There are many organizations and trusts that maintain several temples of lord Krishna at various locations. The ISKON society is also one such organization which is dedicated to Lord Krishna’s service and has developed numerous temples of Krishna worldwide, most popular being the ISCON temple at Vrindavan (India).

* Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir, Mathura

* Banke Bihari Mandir, Vrindavan

* Guruvayur Temple, Kerala

* Udupi Sri Krishna Temple, Karnataka

* Srinath Temple, Rajasthan

* Dwarkadhish Temple, Gujarat

* Iskon Temples in Delhi

* Ashvakranta Temple in Guwahati

* Govind Devji Temple in Jaipur

* Radha Shyama Temple in Kolkata

* Temple of Shreenathji in Nathdwara

108 names of Lord Krishna

Many followers and devotees of Lord Krishna on the day of Janmashtmi and otherwise also chant the different names of Lord Krishna with some musical instrument like “Manjeera”, or flute.

This chanting is supposed to relieve the human mind from all sorts of negativity and stress. It is also a form of meditation.

Popular Names of Lord Krishna with their Meaning

Krishna : One that brings joy
Jagannath : Lord of the whole World
Parampurush : The supreme one
Dwarkadhish : Dwarka’s king
Vasudev : Vasudev’s son
Devki Nandan : Devki's son
Pistachios: Lord Of Cows
Gopal : Protector of Cows
Parthasarthi : Arjuna’s Chariot driver
Muralidhar : Who plays flute
Mathura Naresh : King of Mathura
Damodar : tied with a grinding Stone
Niranjan : who is honorable
Sanatan : The eternal one
Anant : The infinite
Ajay : All victorious
Murari : Enemy of Mura (the demon)
KamalNath : Kamla (Goddess Lakshmi's) Husband
Punya : Meritorious
Lila-Manush-Vigraha : Assums human form
Shrivastav Kausthuba-Dharya : Wearing Shri Vatsa and Kausthubha Gem
Yashoda-Vatsalya : Mother Yashoda's child
Hari : Shri Hari
Chaturbuja-Chakra-gada-Shankhadhyay : Four armed
Shrisay : Abode of Shri (Lakshmi)
Nandgopa Priyatmaj : Nanda Gopa's darling child
Yamuna Vega Samhar : Destroyer of speed of River yamuna
Balbhadra Pariyanuj : Balram's younger brother
Putana Jivit haraya : Destroyer of putana(demoness)
Shakatsura Bhanjanaya : Destroyer of Shakatasur (demon)
Nandvraja jana nandin : One bringing joy to Nand and people of Braj
Sachidanand Vigraha : Awareness and bliss
Navanit Viliptanga : whose body is slandered with butter
Ananghaya : sinless one
Navanit navaharaya : Inventor of new form of food- Butter
Muchukunda Prasadkaya : who blessed king Muchukund
Shodasha sthri sahasreshaya : Lord of 16,000 wives
Tribhanji lalitakritaye : who possesed bent in 3 places
Sukavag Amritabhdhindave : Ocean of nectar
Yogi Pataye : Lord of yogis
Avyaktaya : who is difficult to comprehend
Punya-Shlokaya : Lord whose praise bestows meritorious
Tirthapadaya : With holy feet
Vedvedayaya : Souce of Vedas
Yagnabhoktre : who consumed sacrificial offerings
Paratpataya : highest of the highest
Gopa Gopishvaraya : Lord of gopas and gopis
Yogine : Greatest Yogi
Koti surya samaprabha : someone who is as lustrous as a million suns
Ilapataye : Lord of Earth
Vanamaline : One wearing a garland
Parasmai jyotish : with a supreme light
Yadavendraye : Lord of Yadavs
Yadudvataya : Leader of Yadus
Pita vasase : Who wears yellow robes
Parijatapa Harakaya : who removed Parijath Flower
Govardhanchalo Dhartreya : Lifter of Govardhan Hill
Sarva palakaya : Protector of all beings
Niranjan : The untainted one
Kama janakaye : One generating desires in worldly mind
Kancha lochanaya : Who possess beautiful eyes
Madhughne : Killer of Madhu- demon
Brindavane sancarine : One roaming in Brindavan city
Baline : All powerful Lord
Syamantake maner hartre : who stole Syamantaka Gem
Nara Narayanatmakaya : who has twin form of nar and Narayan
Kubja Krishtambharadharya : Who applied ointment by Kubja
Mayine : Lord of maya
Mushtikasura Chanura mallayudha-visharadaya : One who is an expert wrestler, killed two demons Mushtikasura and Chanura
Kamsaraye : Enemy of Kansa
Narakantakaya : Destroyer of Naraka (demon)
Anadi Brahmacharine : Beginning less absolute
Krishna Vyasana Karshakaya : Who Removed Draupadi's distress
Shishupala Shirascratte : Remover of Shishupal's head
Duryodhana Kulantakaya : Destroyer of Duryodhana's dynasty
Vidurakrura Varadaya : Giver of boon to Vidur and Akrur
Vishwarupa Pradarshakaya : Revealer of Vishwasrup (Universal form)
Satyavacha : peaker of truth
Satya sankalp : Lord of true resolve
Satyabhama Rataya : Lover of Satyabhama
Jayine : The ever victorious Lord
Subhadra purvajaya : Brother of Subhadra
Vishnava : To Lord Vishnu
Bhishma mukti Pradayakaya : One who bestowed salvation to Bhishma
Jagadguruve venunada visharad : One expert in playing of flute music
Vrishabhasura vidhvamsine : Destoyer of demon Vrishbasura
Yudhishthira pratishthatre : One who established Yudhisthira as a king
Sarvagraha Rupine : To all-formed one
Dayanidhaye : One who is treasure of compassion
Sarvabhutat makaya : Soul of elements
Jalakrida samashaka gopi vastra pararakaya : Lord who hid gopi's clothes while they were playing in river Yamuna
Parabrahmane : A supreme brahman
Barhi Barhavatamsakaye : One who adorns peacock feathers
Pannagashana vahanaya : Having serpent Adishesha as his seat
Danavendra Vinashak : Destroyer of Lord of Asuras
Gitamrita Mahodadhaye : An ocean containing nectar of Bhagwad Gita
Kaliyaphani Manikya ranjita shri Padambhujaya : Lord whose lotus feet adorn gems from hood of Kaliya serpent

Rituals

On Janamashtmi, devotees keep daylong fasts and keep themselves awake while chanting 'bhajans', until midnight follows.

Midnight is the moment when Lord Krishna was born. The prayer ceremony is a simple affair.

The priests chant holy mantras and bathe the idol of Lord Krishna placed on a swing with Panchamrit made of milk, ghee (clarified butter), curd, honey and sugar from a conch shell and Ganga-jal (water from the holy Ganges River).

Common Janmashtami customs followed across the world includes fasting and chanting of mantras, but, Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka and Mumbai follow some additional traditions and rituals as a part of Janmashtami celebrations. Some of them are:

Fasting:

Most devotees fast for the entire day on Janmashtami as an integral part of celebration. There are two common and popular types of fast undertaken by different devotees, namely:

1. “Phalhaar Vrat”:

This kind of fast allows the intake of juices, milk products, tea etc without the intake of cereals. One time food intake comprising of food made with vegetables and “Senda Namak” is allowed.

2. “Nirjal Vrat”:

As according to many traditions fasting is considered an integral part and from of showing devotion to Lord, some devotees undertake a fast without the intake of even water.

Fasting Foods:

Lord Krishna was supposed to be fond of Milk, curd, butter and other forms of milk products , thus, having an intake of milk products on the day of Janmashtmi is very auspicious. Other food intakes can be:

1. Pedha
2. Makhane ki Kheer
3. Shrikhand
4. Singhare ki puri
5. Coconut ki barfi

Chanting:

Krishna’s birth (Janam) is associated with extreme joy, festivity and jubilation. As it was a mid-night birth and a very auspicious composition of stars according to Hindu mythology, chanting of Mantras, singing Bhajans, offering Aarti is popularly adopted.

A common practice of celebration on Janmashtami involves the chanting of 108 names of Lord Krishna, along with, showering of flowers on the idol of Krishna.

“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.

Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare”

Is a very popular chanting mantra of lord Krishna.

Ceremony of dahi-handi :

Popularly followed in the cities of Mathura, Dwarka,Vrindavan and Mumbai, the ritual of Dahi-handi is an enactment of Lord Krishna trying to grab butter from the pot (handi), by young boys. As Krishna was fond of butter (Maakhan), this tradition brings lot of fun, frolic and emotions with it.

1. How is it performed?

In an earthen pot, milk is put with some ghee, and, dry fruits, which is then suspended on a height of some 20 feet.

The boys form the shape of a pyramid, and try to break the pot in an organized manner. It is customary that people standing around, throw loads on water on these boys to stop them grab the pot.

2. Religious significance:

The act of Dahi-handi is believed to throw away all negativities and bad-omens.

Rasleela:

Gopis (Sanskrit word meaning a group of cow-hoarding girls), were in intense and divine love with Krishna. Rasleela was traditionally a sport, fun activity that Krishna performed with Gopis. As Krishna wanted to give every Gopi equal importance, he always stood in the middle of a circle surrounded by Gopis.

1. In Vrindavan:

Vrindavan till date, is drowned in Krishna bhakti. Throughout the festival of Janmashtami, young Brahmin boys gather in groups at common places and indulge in the act of Dahi-handi.The language used is “Brij Bhasha”.

2. Types of Rasleela:

Janamleela: throws light on the birth of lord Krishna.
Shankarleela
Putanaleela: Killing of demons by krishna
Nagleela

Janmashtmi Prasad

The most famous Prasad (divine gift from god/guru), prepared and offered at temples during janmashtmi is “Panchamrit”.

Panchamrit:

Panch means five and amrit means nectar, it is a an important form of “prasad” served at many festivals.It is a mixture of

* milk

* honey/sugar

* ghee/oil

* curd/yoghurt

* tulsi leaves.

Along with panchamrit , the fruits and sweets offered to lord during Prayer can also be offered as “Prasad” .

Decorative Items

Chawki: The most common and exquisite poses of Lord Krishna is Lord playing flute and sitting on a chawki. Beautifully decorated chawkis can even be made at home. Chunri print cloth with some lovely laces or Mauli can be used to decorate the Chawki of Lord.

Swing/Jhula: it is a custom to position Krishna on a swing, This swing can be decorated with fresh flowers and hangings to make it more appealing.

Flute(bansuri): Since ages it is known that Krishna’s flute vanished all negativities around, it’s a melody of divine love. Placing nice flutes on the day of Janmashtmi in one’s house is supposed to produce the same soothing effect.

Door-hangings: Two full length hangings covering the corner walls of the door, looks extremely elegant on this occasion .They can further be decorated using Krishna pictures, small flutes, Peacock feathers etc.

Wall-hangings: Placing the picture or poster of Lord Krishna in the middle some attractive wall hangings with accessories like mirrors, stones, patch-work can be used.

Idols: Now a days many types of materials are used to make these idols with some beautiful carvings. To Decorating the idol of Lord with new clothes and ornaments is extremely popular as a Janmashtmi activity.

Recipes 

Pedha

Ingredients

500gm Khoya(grated)
300gm Powdered Sugar
3-4 drops Color(optional)
½ teaspoon Cardomom
8-10 slices Pistachios

Method

1. Take a Kadai and mix Khoya with sugar.
2. Stir continuously on a low flame.
3. After a soft lump is formed cool it for 10 min.
4. Now, add the cardamom powder and color.
5. Mix it well and convert it into moulds as desired.
6. Press 2 slices of Pistachio in the centre and repeat for remaining mixture.

Makhane ki Kheer

Ingredients

1 ltr Milk
2 teaspoon ghee
50 grm Makhne
½ cup Sugar
4 Elaichi
10-12 Almonds

Method

1. In hot ghee sauté the makhane till they are completely bsauted and then cool and crush them
2. Now pour milk in an pan and add sauted makhane to it , stir them on low flame till milk thickens.
3. Now, add sugar and elaichi to them, keep on stirring for few minuted to dissolve the sugar com pletely and to obtain a good aroma of elaichi.
4. Finally serve it, garnishing it with crushed almonds.

Shrikhand

Ingredients

1 kg Thick curd
¾ cup Powdered sugar
5-6 Saffron strands
1 tablespoon Warm milk
2 teaspoon Cardamom powder
few Almonds

Method

1. In a plain woven cotton fabric, hang the curd till all the watery part is drained out.
2. In a small quantity of warm milk dissolve the saffron strands.
3. Now mix the hung curd, powdered sugar, saffron and cardamom powder.
4. Finally serve, garnishing with almonds.

Singhare ki puri

Ingredients

1 cup Singhare ka atta
1 tbsp Oil
2 tsp Ajwain seeds
¼ cup Coriander leaves
¼ cup Spinach
¼ cup Boiled potatoes
2 Green chillies
1 tablespoon Red chilly powder
Salt According to taste
Water For kneading, massaging
Oil for frying

Method

1. Firstly, mix all the dry ingredients.
2. Thoroughly and slowly add water to form a dough to make puri.
3. Note not add much water.
4. Convert them to puri shape and then deep fry till brown
5. Serve hot.

Coconut ki Barfi

Ingredients

2 cup Coconut shreds
1 cup Sugar
1 ½ cup Water
2 tsp Milk
1 tbsp Ghee
½ tsp Cardamom powder

Method

1. To start with roast the coconut shreds in a heated pan.
2. In a separate utensil boil water and sugar to prepare sugar syrup.
3. To the boiling sugar syrup add milk and coconut shreds.
4. Stir continuously till the syrup and ingredients make a thick paste
5. Then add cardamom and ghee.
6. When the mixture seems enough thickened, take it out in a flat plate or pan.
7. Allow it to dry.
8. Cut the pieces in the shape desired.
9. Barfi is ready.