Festivals in India- Janmashtami

Janmashtami is also called as Gokulashtami marking the birth of Lord Sri Krishna.

He was born on the Rohini Nakshatram in the Sravana month. This festival is as well popular as Krishnashtami and Sri Krishna Jayanti.

This festival appears mostly in the August and September months of the Gregorian calendar.

Lord Krishna is considered to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

The memories of Lord Krishna bring pleasure and joy right from his childhood. He was a sign of joy at all stages of life.

There is no other god with the abundance of romantic tales and is always radiating with lots of attributes.

Krishna Jayanti or Janmashtami is celebrated with splendor and pomp. Lots of sweets are prepared on this day and especially, the cheedai, laddoos, chakli, kheer and many more are the preferred sweets.

Besides, lots of milk, butter and certain favorite food is offered as offerings to this god. Various fruits are also given as Prasad. His legends are many and especially the way he charms are the main features.

There are glorious verses sung in the praise of Lord Krishna. Similarly, Bhagavad-Gita represents the absolute truth and has inspired many acharyas.

Today, many common people also withstand the test of time reading and following the Bhagavad-Gita and its teachings. Janmashtami brings to memory that the life is replete with mortal dangers and yet the one who is determined can triumph over it successfully.

The unchallenged success is with respect to the intellectual brilliance as well as bodily prowess. Janmashtami signifies the birth of the divine teacher who spurs the practical as well as the hard realities with high spiritual purposes.

Lord Krishna represents the source of joy. The devotees fast on this day until the midnight until the time Lord Krishna was born and then end their fasting.

However, it is not observed as strict fasting and many do not maintain the fast. This day is a festive loved by children as they get their choice of fried items to eat.

The spiritual joy can be witnessed and the observance of this festival brings out a feeling of total happiness. In south India small prints using the rice flour is made from the door step to the puja room indicating the foot steps of Lord Krishna’s arrival.

Lots of sweets and milk, butter and other delicacies are offered and relished by the family members. Janmashtami indicates the end of evil deeds and the good comes in as bright light.