India - Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami

Janmastami (also known as Krishnastami or Gokulastami) is a festival dedicated to Lord Sri Krishna and commemorates his birth. This festival occurs on the eight day (Astami) of a lunar fortnight hence the name (Krishna+astami). Krishnastami which comes sometime in August is celebrated over two days.At midnight between the first and second days the 'birth of Lord Krishna is replicated with pomp and ceremony. Delicacies are prepared from milk and curds that Krishna loved. The more popular ceremony of Dahi-handi (breaking a pot full of milk and its derivatives} takes place on the second day. This ceremony is so popular that Krishnastami has come to be synonymous with the ceremony of Dahi-handi.

The day is marked with performances of Rasleela, fasting, feasting and prayer.

Dwarka, Gujarat

Krishna's capital, Dwarka, located on the Kutch coast, is one of the four holy cities - char dham - of India. Visitors by the thousands flock to this town of narrow streets and temples during Janmashtami.

The impressive, beautifully carved Dwarkadish temple soars above the melee of pilgrims. The temple, which consists of 60 columns, is five storeys high and its majestic spire climbs a further 60 m into the sky. The inner sanctum or the Nij Mandir, the faithful believe, dates back to 500 BC. Non-Hindus are allowed in the temple if they complete some formalities. East of central Dwarka is the tiny, pretty Rukmini temple, dedicated to Krishna's consort, Princess Rukmini.

A short trip away from Dwarka, via Okha, is Bet Dwarka, the spot where it is thought Krishna died. Several temples are located on this island in the Gulf of Kutch. 

Mathura, UP

By the banks of the Yamuna at Mathura, on a stormy night sometime at the beginning of time, Lord Krishna was born. Mathura became one of the most divine cities of India. But history dealt Mathura a severe blow and the age-old Krishna shrines did not survive the pillages by Muslim conquerors. That has not detracted in any way from its magnetic pull with pilgrims. The land of the Krishna legend, Brajbhoomi, draws the devout by the thousands especially during Janmashtami.

Scattered all across Mathura are various sacred points where mythology dictates events in Krishna's babyhood and youth took place -- the place where his clothes were washed (Potara Kund), the neighbourhood where he was raised (Mahaban), the spot where Vishnu first took life as Krishna (Gokul), the site of a Krishna miracle (Govardhan), the ghat where Krishna relaxed after his skirmish with Kansa (Vishram Ghat).

A major centre for Krishna worshippers, Nathdwara sees a procession of pilgrims throughout the year. It is believed that at least 100,000 devotees arrive in Nathdwara during Janmashtami. A dusty, unpretentious town of a few thousand people, Nathdwara has another claim to fame. It is celebrated for its pichchwai tapestries -- Krishna legends painted on cloth. The coal-black idol of Krishna is one of the most loved images of the community of Vaishnava Sindhis, Marwaris and Gujaratis.

The forests of Vrindavan, about 15 km from Mathura, adjacent to the Yamuna were the stage for Krishna's youthful escapades -- cavorting with Radha, sporting with the cowherd girls or gopis and playing the flute. These escapades and the sacred woods have been immortalised in devotional songs by the famous poet-saint, Mirabai. 

Guruvayur, Kerala

Myth has it that Dwarka - as destiny had foretold -- was submerged on Krishna's death. The Krishna idol, however, was saved. Guru, mentor of the gods, and Vayu, the god of the winds, after some deliberation, transferred it to Kerala to Rudratirtha, a temple tank location suggested by Parasurama. The place was dubbed Guruvayur.

The Guruvayur shrine, which dates back to the 1500s or earlier, is said to be one of the wealthiest in the state. Built in the typical, imposing style of Kerala temples, the main Guruvayur shrine has a gold plated roof. It is surrounded by a courtyard or chuttambalam, which has a high wall. Located in the courtyard is a huge tower of lamps or dipastambham, which looks spectacular when lit and a 33 m high gold coated flagpole or kodimaram. 

Udupi, Karnataka

There are several legends about how the the famous Sri Krishna Mutt came to be at Udupi. One theory put forth is that after Dwarka was submerged, a mariner sailing around the coast of Gujarat spotted a sandalwood object floating off shore and loaded it on his ship. This was actually an idol of Krishna.

As the mariner's vessel approached the coast near Mangalore a typhoon began to whip the oceans into a frenzy and the mariner was caught in the eye of the storm. The saint Madhvacharya sensed the approach of the divine idol and with his great powers calmed the storm. In gratitude, the mariner turned the statue over to the saint and it was installed at Udupi.

Another legend declares the mariner offered all his cargo but the saint asked for a piece of stone which he split open to reveal the idol of Krishna.

Whatever be the right story, the Krishna murti is richly clad and hundred thousands pay homage to him every year. The main temple, located near a tank, is surrounded by eight monasteries. From a window in the wall that surrounds the temple it is possible to view the deity. There is a story about this window or Kanakanakindi too. Apparently, a Harijan or untouchable, Kanakadasa, was not allowed entry into the temple and was peeping at his god from this window and Krishna turned to look him in the eye.

Ceremonies at the Sri Krishna Mutt have a fair amount of pomp and circumstance. Performed by the pandits they usually begin at the crack amidst much chanting and incense.