Janmashtmi Special—23rd August 2019

Posted by Chandrakant Dada Patil on August 24th, 2019

Janmashtami or Krishna Janmashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and zeal in India during the Monsoon season. This holy day falls on the Ashtami or eighth day of the Krishna Paksha or dark fortnight of Shravan month. 

Sri Krishna is marked as one of the most influential human incarnations of the Lord Vishnu. He was born around 5,200 years ago in Mathura during Treta Yuga. The chief objective of Lord Sri Krishna's birth was to free the Earth from the evilness, bad thoughts and tendencies. He played a crucial role in Mahabharata and elaborated the theory of good karma, Bhakti in the Bhagwat Geeta.

History

Lord Sri Krishna was born in a prison in the custody of Kansa, his maternal uncle. Vasudev, his father decided to hand over his child to Nand to save Krishna from the Kansa. Krishna grew up in Gokul and enjoyed his childhood with friends, parents Nand and Yashoda.

Celebrations 

The celebration of Janmashtami is done during midnight as Sri Krishna is born on a dark, stormy and windy night. This day is celebrated with devotional songs, Bhajans, dances, pujas, Arti, blowing of the Conch and rocking the cradle of baby Sri Krishna.

Devotees celebrate the festival of Janmashtami over two days at temples, community centres, and homes. There is a custom to keep a fast by the devotees for 24 hrs prior to the celebration that begins at midnight. Also, one of the common customs involves a statue of the deity in the cradle and bathing it in Panchamrit made up of milk, Gangajal, ghee, honey, and Tulsi leaves. This Panchamrit is distributed to the devotees after Puja.

Maharashtra has its own and unique tradition of celebrating Janmashtami with “Dahi-Handi” contests. During this contest, a group of young boys and girls participate to form a multi-floor ring to reach the Handi/Matki filled with curd and other favourite foodstuffs of Bhagwan Krishna hanging on a heightened string. The group of devotees who are able to break the pot first is declared as the contest winners. Such contests are organized in various localities in the villages and cities.

This festival is also loaded with Jhoola celebrations, Raas Leela, Anna-kut and devotional programmes such as Bhajan. 

On behalf of BJP Chief of Maharashtra, Honourable Mr Chandrakant Dada Patil, we wish you all a very Happy Janmashtami.  Shri Dada Patil strongly believes the “Karma theory” of Lord Shree Krishna. Krishna elaborated that whenever there is a predominance of evil and refuse of religion, he will reincarnate to demolish the evil and let everything be good. Krishna Jayanti also drives togetherness, happiness, and unity. It is the holy festival that is enthusiastically celebrated by all despite age and gender. 

Honourable Shri Chandrakant Dada Patil has requested youth to be careful while participating in Dahi-Handi competitions.  Enjoy this moment with fun, happiness, and unity. 

We again wish you all a very Happy Janmashtami Utsav on behalf of Revenue and Agriculture Minister Mr Chandrakant Dada Patil.