Janmashtami 2022: Date, History, Best places to visit for celebration

Janmashtami, which is also known as Krishna Janmashtami is an annual festival that is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna. Generally, this festival falls in the month of August or September, and in the Hindu calendar, it is observed on the eighth date (Ashtami) of Bhadrapada Masa.

Lord Krishna is also believed to be the incarnation of Lord Vishnu and he is one of the most powerful Gods in Hinduism. The birthplace of Krishna is said to be Mathura and therefore, Mathura is also known as Krishna Bhumi. Janmashtami is also one of the most important festivals in Hinduism where many kinds of dance, drama, songs, etc. are organized and the festival is celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm.

History

In many Hindu texts, it has been mentioned that Lord Krishna came to this world to save it from evil beings. He is also considered the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu and the story of his birth has been beautifully mentioned in some of the famous Hindu texts such as the Bhagwad Gita and Bhagwad Puran. Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami i.e. the eighth day of the dark fortnight during the Bhadrapada month.

He was the son of Devaki and Vasudeva but the uncle of Lord Krishna, Kansa wanted to kill him as he knew that Krishna would somebody be the cause of his death. However, after the birth of Lord Krishna, Vasudev saved his son by taking him to some other place. Ever since the birth of Krishna, the eighth day of Bhadrapada month is called Krishna Paksha and celebrated as Krishna Janmashtami.

Significance

This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna who is the destroyer of evil and one of the most powerful Gods in Hinduism. In Bhagwad Gita, Lord Krishna himself has said that whenever there will be the rise of adharma, he will be born again to destroy it and save dharma. The significance of this festival lies in the fact that it is a reminder to encourage good deeds and togetherness, and put faith in humanity and righteousness.

How is Janmashtami celebrated?

Many Hindus celebrate this festival by keeping fast, singing, organizing prayers, preparing special kinds of food, visiting temples, and narrating the tales of Lord Krishna to each other. At many places, Krishna Leela which is a kind of dance-drama event is also organized. People also decorate their houses, make rangoli, put on lights, and wear new traditional clothes.

Dahi Handi during Janmashtami

The next day after Janmashtami is celebrated by organizing a special event known as Dahi Handi. In most of the stories about Lord Krishna, he has been called Makhan Chor, and therefore, this event is organized where a pot is hung on a rope at a certain height and people in groups climb over one another to reach the handi(the pot) and break it.

Major Places to visit during Janmashtami

Mathura

Mathura is known as the birthplace of Lord Krishna and it is one of the best places to visit to witness the grand celebration of Janmashtami. People here organize many kinds of events and activities to celebrate this particular day. Some of the most important customs are reading the Bhagwad Gita and organizing Krishna Leela where dance and drama events are organized. There are almost 400 temples in Mathura where the birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great pomp and show. These temples look very beautiful and colorful as they are decorated with flowers and lights.

Vrindavan

It was at Vrindavan that Lord Krishna spent his initial days of life when he was growing up. When Krishna went to Gokul, Kansa sent his army to kill Krishna. To escape the army of Kansa, Krishna was brought to Vrindavan. It was at this very place that he started performing Krishna Leela and dancing with his friends, also known as gopis.

Some of the best places to visit in Vrindavan to witness the enthusiasm of Janmashtami include Prem Mandir, ISKCON Temple, and numerous other temples that are present here. It really gets crowded during this time of the year at Vrindavan but it also makes the atmosphere lively. People of Vrindavan celebrate Janmashtami by chanting mantras, singing songs, organizing dance and dramas, playing with curd and turmeric, preparing special dishes, etc.

Gokul

It is a town located in the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh. And this is the same place where Lord Krishna was brought right after he was born. The celebration at this place matches that of Vrindavan and many kinds of events are also organized where dance, drama, and other activities are enacted by the devotees of Lord Krishna. They also play with curd, and turmeric and give baths to the idols of Lord Krishna with milk.

Dwarka

The three places mentioned above are related to the growing stage of Lord Krishna. However, it was at Dwarka that Lord Krishna spent his last days. This place has its own significance in terms of the celebration of Janmashtami. Dwarka which is located in the state of Gujarat is believed to have been built by the brother of Lord Krishna, Balram. People here celebrate Janmashtami by singing, dancing, and organizing different kinds of events and feasts amongst each other.

Best temples to visit during Janmashtami

Banke Bihari Temple

Dwarkadish Temple

Krishna Balaram Mandir

Jugal Kishore Temple

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Frequently asked questions about Janmashtami