*Celebrating Janmashtami, Hindu festival of the birth (janma)*
* of Lord Krishna September 6 & 7*
[image: Janmashtami.jpg]
As per drikpanchang, Hindu calendar, this is the 5250th birth anniversary
of Lord Krishna. He was born at midnight hence Janmashtami will be
celebrated on Wednesday, September 6 and Dahi Handi *(pot of curd)* will
be celebrated the following day on Thursday, September 7.
*Janmashtami**, *Hindu festival celebrating the birth (*janma*) of the
god Krishna on the eighth (*ashtami*) day of the dark fortnight of the
month of Bhadrapada (August–September). The number eight has another
significance in the Krishna legend in that he is the eighth child of his
mother, Devaki.
The occasion is observed especially in Mathura and Vrindavan (Brindaban),
the scenes of Krishna’s childhood and early youth. On the preceding day,
devotees keep a vigil and fast until midnight, the traditional hour of his
birth. Then the image of Krishna is bathed in water and milk, dressed in
new clothes, and worshipped. Temples and household shrines are decorated
with leaves and flowers; sweetmeats are first offered to the god and then
distributed as *prasada* (the god’s leftovers, which carry his favor) to
all the members of the household. The devotees of Krishna commemorate the
events of his birth by preparing elaborate representations of Mathura,
where he was born, the Yamuna River, over which he was transported to
safety, and Gokul (ancient Vraja), the scene of his childhood, using small
images of the god, the other participants, and the animals and birds of the
forest. Pots of milk are hung from tall poles in the streets, and men form
human pyramids to reach and break the pots—this in imitation of Krishna’s
childhood play with the cowherd boys, when they stole the curds hung out of
reach by their mothers. The festival is also a time for group singing and
dancing.
The number- eight plays a very significant role in Lord-Krishna’s life.
- This winsome divine deity is prominent as the eight personifications
(avatar) of Lord Vishnu.
- Lord was born on the eight Ashtami in the month of Bhadrapada (Bhadon).
- Lord Krishna was also the eighth child born to his mother- Devaki.
- Lord Krishna has been offered eight different sweetmeats (bhog) during
Krishna Janmashtami.
- Lord Krishna was born in the month of August as per the Hindu
calendar, which is the eighth month of the year.
Wishing all who celebrate a very Happy Janmashtami. To learn more about
this festival go to
https://study.com/academy/lesson/krishna-janmashtami-history-significance-krishnatami.html
*“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test
of our civilization.” -Mahatma Gandhi*
Daksha Howard
Program Coordinator
Residential Life
Beloit College
Phone- 608-363-2125
Email - howardd_at_beloit.edu
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Hours: 9 am to 5 pm - Monday Through Thursday
Friday - 8 am to 1 pm
Received on Tue Sep 05 2023 - 12:59:29 CDT