Krishna Janmashtami/Gokulashtami festival is very important fiesta for all the Hindus and holds a great religious significance among Lord Krishna devotees. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, the eight avatar/incarnation of Lord Vishnu with great devotion and enthusiasm in India and across the globe by Lord Krishna devotees and others. The birth (Janma) of the Lord Krishna took place on the eighth (Ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September) as the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudev at Mathura. Grand scale Janmashtami celebrations are held in Mathura, Vrindavan and Dwarka, where Lord Krishna is believed to have been born and spent his growing up years. 

What does Krishna means and Krishna Janmashtami symbolize?

In Sanskrit, Krishna means “dark” or “black,” so, Lord Krishna is often depicted as dark-skinned. He is especially known and loved by his devotees for his divine attributes of compassion, protection, and friendship. Lord Krishna is seen as a symbol of divinity, love, and righteousness. His life and teachings inspire devotees to lead a life based on dharma (righteousness), karma (action), and bhakti (devotion). The observance of Krishna Janmashtami has moved far beyond Bharat, and today, in the global community of about 1.2 billion Hindus, Krishna Janmashtami is considered an important festival among all lineages and traditions. Since Lord Krishna signifies Ananda (pure happiness), we express our happiness by celebrating Janmashtami, the Birth of Bliss when that divine joy became manifest.

What is the significance of Krishna’s birth?

The story of Krishna’s divine birth is told in a poetic form in households across South Asia on Krishna Janmashtami. According to lore, Krishna’s maternal uncle, Kamsa, the king of Mathura, a town in northern Bharat, heard a celestial voice prophesying in his court that his downfall would come at the hands of the eighth child born to his sister Devaki.

In an effort to preserve his supremacy, Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and her spouse, Vasudeva, and killed each child born to them. According to “Bhagavata Purana” when the eighth child, Krishna, was born, the gates of the prison opened miraculously and a divine voice instructed Vasudeva to carry Krishna across the Yamuna River in the heavy torrential rain that caused the Yamuna to flood. Accordingly, Vasudeva delivered the divine infant unharmed to his cousin Nanda and his wife Yashoda at Braj and replaced Krishna with Yashoda’s daughter in the prison. When Kamsa’s guards attempted to kill her, she transformed into the goddess Yogamaya and reminded Kamsa of his end and vanished from the prison cell. Devotees recall, praise, and commemorate both playful pranks and heroic acts of Krishna as a child, and the love of Yashoda for Krishna during the festival through devotional songs and dances.

Why Krishna’s preachings in Bhagavad Gita are chanted before Krishna Janmashtami?

Bhagavad Gita is chanted in homes and temples in the days leading up to Krishna Janmashtami with much devotiona and reverence. During Kurukeshtra Yuddha, as a charioteer, Krishna advises the warrior Arjuna, who was heartbroken that he had to fight with his own cousins, about his duty on the battlefield. In its 18 chapters, Krishna counsels Arjuna about three paths, or “Margas,” to realize salvation, or “Moksha,” from the eternal cycle of suffering and rebirth. This chanting encourages us to overcome the fear of death and worry that kills our ambition and chances of progress. Therefore, we must strive to remove the fear from our mind.

What are the traditions to be followed on Krishna Janmashtami?

On the first day of the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami, activities start with waking up early, taking special oil baths, wearing new clothes, and decorating our homes with garlands of Jasmine, Mogra, and Marigold flowers, Mango and Coconut leaves, and preparing and beautifying of the puja Mandapam and the 'Jhula for baby Krishna.' Doing Rangoli both inside and outside houses. Making of Prasadam and sweets and inviting relatives, neighbors and friends to the evening Krishna Janmashtami Puja.

In the morning, devotes perform regular “Krishna puja,” of an idol of Krishna. In addition to fasting, Krishna’s devotees sing Bhajans/Kirtans, dedicated to Krishna, in the evening, they reenact episodes from mythology about Lord Krishna’s life, known as “Krishna Leelas” and at th community level, devotees perform Dahi Handi and Krishna Vesha competitions for young kids, folk and Garbha dances as well. After midnight, statues of Baby Krishna are bathed in milk and sacred water, dressed up in new clothes and praise HIM in chorus as “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya“ both in homes and temples. Collectively perform Arati to Baby Krishna, swing the beautifully adorned cradle of Baby Krishna, and create a pious festive ambience. Devotees pray to Lord Krishna to seek his blessings and later enjoy a celebratory Prasadam breaking their daylong fasting.

Devotees also witness the most extravagant and colorful decorations of flowers and lights at the Krishna temples. People from various places visit Krishna temples to have a glimpse of their beautifully ornamented beloved God Krishna.

What is the message of Janmashtami?

देवकी परमानन्दं कृष्णं वन्दे जगद्गुरुम्॥
Devakī Paramānandaṃ Kṛiṣhṇaṃ Vande Jagadgurum॥

May on this auspicious occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, the GOD of Universe brings a lot of positivity, peace, happiness, and harmony in your life by eliminating negativity within you to restore Dharma in you and give you strength and inspire you to face all problems in life with great courage.