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The Lord
Krishna, the eighth avthar of Vishnu.His birthday falls on
the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha or the 8th day of the dark
fortnight of the month of Shravan Masa. Popularly known as
Janam Ashtami or Krishna Jayanthi.
This festival is celebrated on two days, once on the actual
day ( Janam Ashtami) of his birth in prison at Mathura, and
the next day (Krishna Jayanthi) on his being discovered in
the house of Nand and Yashoda at Gokul. According to the
Mythology and scriptures Krishna plays an enlightening role
in the Mahabharatha (Great epic) giving us the life enduring
message from the Bhagavat Gita. |
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This is the festival of sweets
and revives the childhood stages of Krishna. The Lord is
worshipped with offerings – milk, curd, butter, cream, honey
and avvalakki (all are Krishna’s favourites), variety of
fruits and flowers along with lots and lots of sweets and
savouries. People decorate the idols of God with flowers and
decorate the Lord with silk and jewelery. They arrange
dolls/idols depicting the childhood of Krishna in the
cradle, stealing butter, playing with the Gopikas, Mother
Yashodha viewing the Vishwa Roopa Darshana, Krishna with
Radha etc.
Rangolis (sacred, coloured designs/patterns decorated on
floor) are drawn in front of the houses with various colours.
Special foot steps of Lord is made as if baby entering the
house. The Puja is performed in at midnight of Janam Ashtami.
People arrange for Bhajans (Devotional songs) and Sathsang
(singing in Bhajans)
Sri Krishna Janmashtami witnesses the exuberant enactment of
the God's childhood endeavors to steal butter and curd from
earthen pots beyond his reach. A matka or pot containing
these is suspended high above the ground and groups of young
men and children form human pyramids to try and reach the
pot and eventually break it.
Huli vesha (tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in
Dakshina kannada that fascinates the young and the old
alike. This dance is performed during the Dussera
celebration, Krishna Janmasthami
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