History of Krishna Janmashtami - Description
Dear users, today we are going to upload the History of Krishna Janmashtami PDF for all of you. The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated on the day of Ashtami Tithi in Bhadrapada month. Because according to the Hindu calendar Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami Tithi in Krishna paksha of Bhadrapada month.
Therefore on this day, the birth of Lord Shri Krishna is celebrated as Shri Krishna Janmashtami in all over the world. Lord Shri Krishna is the eighth son of Vasudeva and Mata Devaki. Krishna Ji was born in Mathura at 12 o’clock at the night in a prison. Shri Krishna’s birthday is also known as Janmotsav and Nandotsav.
On this occasion, many devotees from all over the country and abroad come to see their beloved Kanha at the birthplace of Shri Krishna which is located in Mathura. On the day of Shri Krishna Janmashtami, devotees keep a fast for him and take some food after celebrating the birth of Lord Shri Krishna at midnight. The next day of Janmashtami is celebrated as Dahi Handi with great joy and enthusiasm.
History of Krishna Janmashtami PDF
One of the most important festivals in India, Krishna Janmashtami or simply Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. As per Hindu Mythology, Lord Krishna, the human incarnation of Vishnu, was born on this day to destroy Mathura’s demon King, Kansa.
He was the brother of Krishna’s virtuous brother Devaki. Krishna was born on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the Bhadrapada month (August-September) in Mathura and was Devaki and Vasudeva’s son.
The largest celebration of this festival takes place in the cities of Mathura and Vrindavan, where Krishna is believed to have been born and spent his growing up years, respectively. The festival falls during the Hindu month of Bhadrapada on the Ashtami Tithi.
Significance of Krishna Janmashtami
- According to Hindu mythology, Krishna, the human incarnation of Vishnu, was born on this day to destroy Mathura’s demon king, Kansa, the brother of Krishna’s virtuous mother, Devaki. Krishna was born on the eighth (Ashtami) day of the dark fortnight in the Bhadrapada month (August–September) in Mathura and was Devaki and Vasudeva’s son.
- When Krishna was born, Mathura was ruled by his uncle, King Kansa, who wanted to kill his sister’s children as a prophecy said that the couple’s eighth son would cause Kansa’s downfall.
- After the prophecy, Kansa imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva and killed off their first six children.
- However, at the time of the birth of their seventh child, Balram, the foetus mystically transferred from Devaki’s womb to Princess Rohini’s. When their eighth child, Krishna, was born, the entire palace went into slumber and Vasudeva rescued the baby to Nand Baba and Yashodha’s house in Vrindavan.
- After making the exchange, Vasudeva returned to the palace with a baby girl and handed her to Kansa. When the evil king tried to kill the baby, she transformed into Durga, warning him about his impending doom and in this way, Krishna grew up in Vrindavan and later killed his uncle, Kansa.
- Janmashtami is celebrated to give a message of light and positivity in dark times. When Krishna was born, Mathura was ruled by his uncle, Kansa, who wanted to kill his sister’s children as a prophecy said that the couple’s eighth son would cause Kansa’s downfall. After the prophecy, he imprisoned Devaki and Vasudeva and killed off their first six children.
- However, at the time of the birth of a seventh child, Balram, the foetus mystically transferred from Devaki’s womb to Princess Rohini’s. When the eighth child Krishna was born, the entire palace went into slumber and Vasudeva rescued the baby to Nand Baba and Yashoda’s house in Vrindavan.
- After making the exchange, Vasudeva returned to the palace with a baby girl and handed her to Kansa. When he tried to kill the baby, she transformed into Durga and warned him about his impending doom. Krishna grew up in Vrindavan and later killed his uncle, Kansa.
Importance of Krishna Janmashtami Celebration
On his birth anniversary, people participate in Dahi Handi contests as Krishna loved butter. In fact, Krishna would often steal butter from women in Gokul and thus, he is fondly called ‘Makhan Chor’ by his devotees. Even if women kept the butter at a height, young Krishna would construct human pyramids along with his friends to steal the butter.
This is enacted during the Dahi Handi ceremony. Besides Dahi Handi, people donate to the poor and feed cows on this day. They also dress their kids as Lord Krishna as he is worshipped in his toddler form during Janmashtami.
What is the history of Dahi Handi?
As per Hindu Mythology, Lord Krishna loved curd, white butter, and milk during his childhood days. Krishna along with his friends used to steal it from the neighbours as well as other villagers. The villagers also went to his mother to complain about his habit of stealing.
She advised villagers to hide the freshly churned Makhan in an earthen pot at some height where little Krishna could not reach. However, the idea did not work as Krishna and his friends started making human pyramids in order to reach the handi.
To celebrate Krishna’s mischievous tricks, every year on Janmashtami, people organize Dahi Handi and make a human pyramid to break the earthen pot kept at height.
History of Krishna Janmashtami PDF – FAQs
How Shri Krishna was born?
But why did Kansa hold Devaki and Vasudev hostage?
But how did Krishna survive?
Vasudev (mentally in an unconscious state) carried baby Krishna soon after birth to Gokul even as the rains lashed Mathura and the adjoining Braj region on an eventful night. The doting father put the baby in a basket, carried it on top of his head and crossed the river Yamuna to visit his friend Nanda’s house.
Meanwhile, Shesh Nag, Shri Vishnu’s loyal servant, appeared to protect the baby from the rains by spreading its five-headed hood. After reaching Nanda’s house, Vasudev exchanged the babies. Subsequently, when Kansa learnt about the birth of Devaki’s eighth child, he took the baby away.
Oblivious that the baby girl was not Devaki and Vasudev’s eighth child, Kansa went on to kill her. And as he raised his weapon in the air to kill the baby, she appeared in the sky to reveal her real form.
How the festival is celebrated in India?
Janmashtami 2022 will be marked by the devotees observing a fast and praying to Lord Krishna. They adorn their homes with flowers, diyas and lights while the temples are also beautifully decorated and lit.
The temples of Mathura and Vrindavan on Janmashtami 2022 will witness the most extravagant and colourful celebrations as Krishna is believed to have been born and spent his growing up years there.
Devotees also perform Raslila to recreate incidents from Krishna’s life and to commemorate his love for Radha.
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