Krishnashtami

It has been said that no other nation has a longer calendar of holidays than India.  The average Indian is greatly attached to his Gods, Shrines and Festivals.  Religion is a part of culture and  festival is the center point of religion.

Festivals are as varied in origin as they are large in number.  As it is stated in the book, Brahmanism and Hinduism by Monier-Williams, “There is not an object in heaven and earth which a Hindu is not prepared to worship…”

Krishnashtami or Janmashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna, the eighth divine incarnation of Vishnu.  Krishna was born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark half of  the month Sravan.  On this day all Hindu devotees fast and recite religious books like Bhagavad Gita throughout the day.  Houses are cleaned and decorated with the tracks of baby Krishna feet leading from the doorstep to the Puja Room, the center of worship.  These  drawings of tracks of feet  are a special form of household worship.  At midnight, the fast is broken with specially prepared sweets, savouries by offering first to the Lord Krishna and then distributed to the family and friends.

On the day of Krishnashtami, devotees prepare umpteen number of sweets and  dairy products, as Lord rishna was extremely fond of these items.  In the rural parts of India, devotees tie swings and ride on them because taking ride on the occasion of Janmashtami is considered to be auspicious.