Janmashtami Celebration 2018 (कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी)

Dates 

Janmashtami : 3 September 2018

Dahi Handi : 4 September 2018

• One of the most famous festivals celebrated across India is Lord Krishna’s Birthday Utsav – Janmashtami in Mathura Vrindavan.  

• Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated on the Ashtami (eighth day) of Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Shravana or Bhadra (in the Hindu calendar, there is a leap month once every three years).

• When it comes to celebration, the Janmashtami celebration of Mathura is incomparable! 

• Prem Mandir located in Mathura is one of the most beautiful temples in India.

  

Lord Krishna, the Eighth Avatar of Lord Vishnu, Krishna was born in an era of chaos, persecution was rampant, freedoms were denied and evil was everywhere.He was the hope against these evils spreading all around the globe. He was Light in the Dark. Yes, the world knew now that there was someone who will remove them from this vicious cycle of Life and Death. Krishna was born in Mathura and was raised by his foster parents Nanda and Jasoda. His birth is now celebrated all across the world by different names such as Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Ashtami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanti and many more.

Let’s make this holy festival more interesting with the blessings of Lord Krishna. Some of the things that you can do to celebrate the occasion in an interesting way!

One can perform activities such as Dance-drama, Puja, Night vigil, and Fasting. These activities are performed in order to please Lord Krishna.

Decorating your home for Shri Krishna can be a joyful activity, particularly for children. We can encourage them in helping to make garlands, hanging balloons and festoons of leaves. This would create a beautiful atmosphere at home.

You can listen to some of your favorite bhajans (devotional songs in praise of God) to sing. Krishna, also known as Murlidhara, or “one who holds the flute,” loves music. And so will your friends and family, as you take turns singing and playing instruments. Alternatively, play bhajan CDs and heighten the spiritual atmosphere.

If you have Radha-Krishna deities, get extra special new outfits for them. Exercise your creativity and pay special attention to decorating their altar.

The Krishna Janmotsav is incomplete without “Dahi Handi”!

Dahi means “Yogurt” and Handi means “Earthen Pot“. Hence the term “Dahi Handi“.It is celebrated on the next day of Krishna Janmashtami.

 

People in India gather at the crossroads on this day. Usually, the timings for Dahi Handi is Morning. At the crossroads, an earthen pot is hung at a height with the help of a rope. The Handi is filled with many things such as yogurt, butter, chocolates and many more. These are the favorite food items of Krishna.

The task is to break this handi by making a pyramid. The height of the Handi may vary. But the devotees are determined to perform the task. As the Handi breaks, the content spills over which is consumed as “Prashad” by the devotees. This is the theme of numerous reliefs on Hindu temples across India, as well as literature and dance-drama repertoire, symbolizing the joyful innocence of Bal Krishna.

Do you want to celebrate this Janmashtami in Mathura?  

Here are some places you can visit in Mathura !!

          Hindu temple in Mathura:

• The temple is built around the prison cell where Krishna is said to have been born.
• It is situated next to Kesava Deo Temple and the Shahi Eid Gah Mosque.
  

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  Krishna Balaram Mandir:

• It is a Gaudiya Vaishnava temple in the holy city of Vrindavan.
• It is one of the main ISKCON temples in India and internationally.
  

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  Vishram Ghat:

• It is a ghat, a bath and worship place, on the banks of river Yamuna in Mathura, India.
• It is the main ghat of Mathura and is central to 25 other ghats. The traditional parikrama starts and ends at Vishram Ghat.

Want some affordable stay at Mathura?

Dharamshalas are the best available option to stay near a religious place. They provide serene atmosphere along with several facilities. Click here to view the best option!