Janmashtami , an enchanting Hindu festival

Janmashtami  also called Krishna Jayanthi is celebrated by all Hindus in India.It is one of the sweetest concepts on which a festival is founded. It is celebrated in the Tamil month of Aavani[which normally falls in September,] and Lord Krishna’s birth star is Rohini. Lord Krishna was supposed to be born at midnight and it normally rains during the birth of Krishna. This period coinciding with the southwest monsoon, it does rain. But, even in  Tamil Nadu, where south west monsoon is not always accompanied by rain in certain parts , it does rain or at least drizzle.

The Hindus adorn their households with a beautiful Rangoli, and the baby feet of Lord Krishna are seen walking from the threshold to the shrine in the house, where His idol and pictures are kept and decorated with flowers.

The belief is  that Baby Krishna is walking into every devotee’s house and   the  petal soft  chubby little feet  leave pearly imprints there. These imprints are seen in white kolams  on the floor. Baby  Krishna walks into the house and happily helps himself to His favorite dishes.

Many people fast during the day and they make certain special dishes as an offering to Lord Krishna. A famous quote from the Divya Prabhandam[a religious text in Tamil]  where  it talks of “Appamudan aval kalandha  sitrurundayum akkaravadisalum[1]’,has inspired some people to make these dishes and offer them to Lord Krishna.

Krishna is said to be a lover of butter, beaten rice etc.., and these are offered to Him along with other fruits, kheer, condensed milk etc..People prepare these with love and affection for the beautiful baby  Krishna., All chant prayers invoking the Lord and sing songs  praising Him.

There is fun and merriment in different parts of India and many youngsters celebrate this in different ways. The idol of Lord Krishna is taken round the streets in a  procession in some places. There are games  where  youngsters participate in ‘uriyadi’ , a game where pots are tied on top of poles and the boys stand on the shoulders of other boys in circles and try to reach the top and win the prize in the pot. ] This Uriyadi’ function is another episode in Lord Krishna’s colorful childhood.

India is rich in its diversity and the festival has quaint little differences  in the way it is celebrated in various parts of India, but the spirit is one, one of devotion and love to Lord Krishna.

This is one of the most enchanting festivals of the  Hindu Religion.

aval-beaten rice

sitrurundai-round sweet balls made of coconut and jaggery also called sukiyan

akkaravadisal-kheer made of condensed milk and jaggery and dry fruits.

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