Janmashtami: Arrival of Lord Krishna

Janmashtami is a very important festival of Hinduism and is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Shri Krishna, known as an eight incarnation of Lord Vishnu on this Earth. It falls on the Ashtami (eighth day) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Shravan (August–September) according to the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated with great enthusiasm and with pure devotion across Hindus all over the world. Janmashtami is more than a festival; it’s a celebration of divine love, joy, and togetherness. By following these traditional preparations, every home becomes a small temple, radiating positivity and devotion.

Preparation & Celebration

The preparations for this special day begin a day in advance, filled with devotion, love, and excitement. The preparations start by thoroughly cleaning and organizing the house. It’s believed that a pure, clean space invites positive energies and creates the perfect environment for divine celebrations. From the local market, devotees collect all essential items needed for the celebrations and puja:

• Fresh flowers

• Fruits

• Milk

• Sweets

• New clothes for the idols of the Gods

These symbolize devotion and are used to honor the divine presence during the rituals.

Early in the morning, the idols of the Gods are bathed using holy water from the river Ganga. This is the sacred bath ritual that is followed everyday in a Hindu household. Most Hindu households store Ganges water, as it is believed to have purifying properties that cleanse both physical space and spiritual energies. The idols are then dressed in beautiful, colorful new clothes, and a tilak is applied using sandalwood paste, adding a sacred touch to the ritual.

A unique and heartfelt part of the celebration is dedicated to Lord Krishna in his childhood form. The idol of little Krishna is placed on a brass plate, and the same bathing and dressing ritual is lovingly followed.

A special area is prepared with:

• A white cloth base

• Colorful fresh flowers

• A beautifully decorated podium

A swing (jhula) is set up and adorned with flowers and tiny bells to create an enchanting atmosphere. Once ready, the idol of little Krishna is placed gently on the swing.

As the sun sets, the atmosphere becomes more spiritual. Diyas (oil lamps) are lit to signify light over darkness, and Panchamrit (a sacred mixture of milk, curd, honey, jaggery, and ghee) is prepared as a holy offering. A food platter featuring Lord Krishna’s favorite dishes is lovingly arranged and offered with devotion. This special evening ritual is performed since Krishna’s birth is believed to have occurred at midnight, making the time extra auspicious.

Lord Krishna is considered the symbol of love, wisdom, and righteousness. He went through the process of birth and death as a human being so that we can learn from his life.

Being born with a human form, he went through all the sufferings and the pleasures of this world. His teachings in the Bhagavad Gita is a spiritual guide for millions of people around the world. Janmashtami is not just a celebration of his birth, but also an occasion to remember his divine leelas (pastimes), which inspire devotion, joy, and moral values. So, come let's celebrate together. Hare Krishna !!