How People across the World Celebrate Lord Krishna during Janmashtami!
We all know why Janmashtami is celebrated – The birth of Lord Krishna! But do we really know the extent of this pan-cultural celebration? From Uttar Pradesh to the United States, the celebration varies with people and culture. In this blog, we will explore in brief, how Krishna Jayanthi is celebrated particularly in 8 different places, remarkable and original in their own ways!
1. Celebrations in Uttar Pradesh
Both of Krishna’s birthplace and his place of upbringing is located in Uttar Pradesh!
Born in Mathura and brought up in Vrindavan, both located in present-day Uttar Pradesh – one could expect extended celebrations across the town with locals offering Chappan Bhog (56 dishes to the god) and engaging in the Dahi Handi ritual. Among the many temples, Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi and Dwarkadheesh temples in Mathura celebrate exceptionally well and host grand ceremonies.
2. Celebrations in Maharashtra
An intense ritual-game called Dahi Handi is played in praise of the naughty little Krishna!
The highlight of Gokulashtami (that how it is called here) is the Dahi Handi ritual. Call it a tribute to Little Krishna’s love for butter and curd. A group of young men forms a human pyramid to reach a suspended earthen pot high above the air above 20-30 feet. The Govindas will celebrate the top-most player that strikes the pot, with spectators cheering and celebrating alongside the winners of the ritual-game!
Here’s a quick fact: Krishna Jayanthi is celebrated in China. Thanks to the ISKCON movement, the people in Beijing and Shanghai distribute ladoos and chapattis (quite a combination) singing Hare Krishna songs and practicing yoga!
3. Celebrations in Gujarat
The historic city Dwaraka was once the kingdom of Krishna, now present in Gujarat.
In Gujarat, you will witness the most pompous celebration in the well-lit Dwarakdhish Temple. The flag atop the temple is a significant signature, which indicates that Krishna will continue to reside as long as the sun and the moon exist. Starting midnight, the celebrations will begin with events re-enacting Krishna’s childhood, and Makhan Handi Ritual celebrated with the same fervor honoring the mischievous little Krishna!
4. Celebrations in Tamilnadu
In Tamilnadu, the sacred blue deity – Kanna, is celebrated by making a traditional Rangoli pattern called Kolam. Devotees draw small footprints of a little boy announcing the entry of Lord Krishna into their houses.
Here’s another quick fact! Krishna Janmashtami has a special reverence to number 8. Yes, Lord Krishna was the eighth child born to Goddess Devika, on the eighth night of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada (in the middle of August and September). He is also the 8th avatar of Lord Vishnu and had 8 dear women married to him.
5. Celebrations in Kerala
Kerala’s tradition involves visiting the Guruvayur Temple and Bhuloka Vaikuntha located in the town of Guruvayoor. However, on the day of Krishna Jayanthi, the temples see a flooding sea of devotees trying to get the grace of the holy Krishna.
6. Celebrations in Andhra Pradesh
Sweet little boys dress up as Krishna with their mothers serving homemade savories such as Murukku and Seedai, distributed to the neighborhood and local temples playing devotional hymns throughout the day!
7. Celebrations in Nepal
Kathmandu Valley’s Krishna Mandir in Patan Darbar Square highlights the entire celebration in the country’s capital. During the festival, the temple witnesses thousands of devotees thronging beyond midnight, paying homage to Lord Krishna.
8. Celebrations in the United States
ISKCON Temples around the country fervently celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. With Bhajans and Kirtans, messages from renounced saints, the recital of Gita, celebrating Nauha Vihar (boat festival) – The country supports increasing festive engagement each year with Krishna Jayanthi forever a celebration of love and devotion to their favorite Lord Krishna!
Chakra for Temples – Temples Go Techie!
As temples around the World, given the current global situation, gear up to host their events virtually, they look up to enhance their tech prowess. Temples also realize the need to better serve the next generation of tech-savvy devotees. With Chakra4Temples, managing temples and serving devotees becomes a lot easier because Chakra is a complete one-stop technology solution for all things Temple Management!
There are immense benefits for temples opting for the Chakra Solution. Right from online puja/events booking, online temple calendars, programs & newsletters, the facility to accept donation through a secured payment system, automated year-end donation reports & thankyou letters, integrated Kiosks installed in temples, and what not!
Get to know how you can Make your Temple Go Techie!
Visit chakra4Temple.org!