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Janmashtami is one of the most popular Hindu festivals. It is celebrated eight days after Raksha Bandhan, and it marks the birthday of Lord Krishna, who was the eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. As a matter of fact, Lord Krishna was the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudev, which makes this festival hinged to number eight in more ways than one. That is why, the number eight holds a special place in context to Janmashtami.
Krishna Janmashtami is known by many names throughout our country, like Srikrishna Jayanti, Gokulashtami and Sree Jayanti. Although the entire nation celebrates Janmashtami with great pomp and show, Mathura and Vrindavan pride themselves with the most magnificent celebrations because Lord Krishna was believed to have grown up there.
Every Indian state celebrates Krishna Janmashtami in their own unique and wonderful way. Welcome little Krishna with these amazing Janmashtami special sweets.
When is Janmashtami in 2022
The festival of Krishna Janmashtami will take place on August 18, 2022. In the tradition of Krishna Devotees, fasts are observed for a day and broken the following day. On Janmashtami, some people only eat fruit the whole day and others eat only one meal.
Janmashtami in 2022: Time and date
- The Ashtami Tithi begins on August 18, 2022, at 9:20 p.m.
- Ashtami Tithi ends on August 19, 2022, at 10:59 p.m.
How Hindus Across India celebrate Krishna Janmashtami
Janmashtami is celebrated in the month of August or September. It falls on the eighth day of the waning moon. Janmashtami is celebrated for a period of two days because Lord Krishna was born at Midnight. The first day is called Sri Krishnashtami or Gokulashtami, and people usually celebrate this day by fasting and singing bhajans (religious songs) throughout the day. By the time the clock strikes 12, people are already engulfed by so much joy from all the bhajan recitals and celebrations, and they culminate that joy by wishing Lord Krishna on his birth anniversary.
Lord Krishna’s birthday is celebrated very elaborately, and many people visit the temples to participate in the festivities with their families. Idols of Lord Krishna are anointed in milk, curd, honey and, decorated in beautiful clothes and cherished like the embodiment of a newborn baby. It is common during Janmashtami to see baby Krishna idols perched in a swinging cot that is decorated most exquisitely.
The next day, goes by the name of Kaal Ashtami and people usually prepare foods to please Lord Krishna; dancing, processions and celebrations accompany this. As a ritual, devotees usually prepare many traditional dishes to offer Lord Krishna in order to pamper him.
Various states of India have unique and beautiful ways in which they celebrate this festival. Let us walk down the lanes of some of the states of India to see how they celebrate the festival. Also check out why is Janmashtami celebrated.
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Uttar Pradesh
This state usually celebrates Janmashtami for weeks leading up to the festival. Since Uttar Pradesh is also the birthplace of Lord Krishna, the celebrations in this region are very elaborate. The most exciting feature of the festivities in Uttar Pradesh involve Raslila performances and the famous Dahi Handi rituals. The platter contains various Janmnashtami sweets and snacks, including Malpua, kheer, boondi ladoo etc.
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Maharashtra
Janmashtami goes by the name of Gokulashtami in Maharashtra, and the most appealing feature of the festivities in the region includes a ritual called Dahi Handi. It involves the formation of a human pyramid to reach a pot of milk and curd. This is a tribute to Lord Krishna’s love for milk and curd. Dahi Handi is celebrated on the second day of Janmashtami celebrations. It is a very famous event and is usually competitive in nature as various groups compete to get hold of the pot and break it at the earliest.
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Gujarat
Krishna’s home town which was named Dwarka lies in Gujarat. Dahi Handi is a characteristic feature of Janmashtami celebrations in Gujarat but in this region, the ritual is called Makhan Handi. People play Garba in the days leading up to the festival and the famous temple of Dwarkadhish is decorated in the best possible way. A morning Aarti known as Mangal Aarti is performed here on Janmashtami morning and people from all over the country visit Gujarat to witness the pious pooja.
Each state celebrates Janmashtami in a unique way but the one thing that stays common through all states is their love and devotion towards Lord Krishna. Another adorable tradition associated with Janmashtami includes little baby boys dressed as Lord Krishna who eat Makhan and endear everyone with their cuteness. Parents usually buy special clothes for their young children and dress them like Krishna on this festival. It is a very cherished ritual that has been going on in India for generations.
Janmashtami history and significance
Janmashtami is celebrated to commemorate the birthof Lord Krishna but there is a famous story attributed to it. As the legend goes, the God of land known as Bhoomi Dev had prayed to Vishnu to protect itself from all evil and in turn Lord Vishnu has said that he will send his eighth incarnation to protect the land. When Devki and Vasudeva got married, there was a prophecy that their eighth child would kill the evil king Kansa who was also Devki’s brother.
When Lord Krishna was born at midnight, his father, Vasudeva, took him to Gokul and left him in the able care of Yashoda and Nand. Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna and since he was born at midnight, the celebrations usually span across two days. Janmashtami is a festival that signifies hope. It signifies the end of evil and an onset of positivity and flourishment.
This year, Janmashtami will be celebrated from 18th August, 2022 to 19th August 2022.
What are the traditional dishes/foods that are offered to Lord Krishna
On Sri Krishnashtami, Lord Krishna’s favourite food items are prepared and offered as prasad. The traditional dishes for Janmashtami include meva ke ladoo, murukku or chakli and some very appetising dishes. Some of them include Makhana Paag, a concoction of foxnuts, coconut, milk and sugar. In addition to that, there is a savoury dish called Gopalkala which is essentially poha made with curd and coconut. Additionally, kheer, dhaniya panjiri, boondi ke ladoo and pedas are among the delicious dishes prepared during Janmashtami.
Sweet Karam Coffee is a platform that pivots around the idea of giving a traditional and healthy twist to our snacking needs. Our delectable range of sweets and snacks online is made from the best quality ingredients and personifies the richness of our culinary heritage. You can browse through our Janmashtami special items and order the Janmashtami prasad items of your choice. There are numerous other homemade delights that you can choose from and order.
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