Krishna Janmashtami 2017: Legend Behind It

Krishna Janmashtami : Legend Behind It

It is believed that Lord Krishna was born thousands of years back in Dwapara Yuga on the day of Janmashtami. The night of the eighth day of the second fortnight of Shravana month was very dark and gusty. Lord Krishna was born on that night in the prison of king Kansa. He was born as the son of Vasudeva and Kansa's sister, Devaki. It was already announced many days before Lord Krishna actually took birth that he would be born as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu to kill the deadly demon Kansa to save the earth and also to protect the mankind. Lord Krishna during his childhood proved that he was someone very special and was born to perform some great deeds. He was brought up by Yashoda and spent his childhood and adolescence in Gokul. He had enormous powers and was admired and loved by everyone. He did many extraordinarily great things, which made people believe that he was an avatar of God. After that people started celebrating Krishna's birthday as a festival and started calling it as Janmashtami or Krishnashtami.

Lord Krishna was born to communicate and spread the message of love, humanity and brotherhood which is also exhibited by his preaching to Arjuna, in the holy book- The Bhagavad Gita. In Gita, Lord Krishna says that whenever there is an imbalance in the universe due to any kind of disturbance caused by any negative interference, he reflects himself as the power of ultimate balancing. He incarnates himself when needed for the protection of those in harmony and then he also rectifies those who are disharmonious. So, one must have a belief that one or the other form of god will always take birth on earth for the establishment of peace, brotherhood, humanity, religion as well as prosperity, whenever required.

Janmashtami is celebrated to spread the message that Lord Krishna has given to the mankind - the message of love and respect. This festival is, in a way, celebrated to show gratitude to the holy deeds of Lord Krishna, that he performed solely for the goodness of mankind.

Krishna Janmashtami Celebrations

This festival Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated for two days like all the years. Huge crowd, including everybody, whether it be women, men, children or elders, gather at one place and enjoy. At some places, on the first day Rasleela is performed. Different events and incidents that took place in Lord Krishna's life are depicted in Rasleela. The fun and enjoyment reaches to its maximum during midnight. This is because, it is believed that Lord Krishna was born at midnight. The idol of infant Lord Krishna is then bathed and is kept in a swing. This marks Lord krishna's birth. Then the shell is blown and people start singing and dancing with lot of devotion and happiness. Some people also keep vrat on the first day and as soon as the midnight comes and Lord Krishna's birth is celebrated, their fast is completed and then they break their fast with tasty sweets and mouthwatering dishes. Mathura, Vrindavan and Dwarka are the famous places where this festival is celebrated in its best way.