By Ashish Kumar Mandal,Janakpurdham: On the occasion of Bhadra Krishna Ashtami today, Sanatan Hindu devotees across Nepal, India, and around the world are grandly celebrating the Shri Krishna Janmashtami festival. This festival is celebrated to commemorate the birth of Lord Krishna as the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu during the Dvapara Yuga, born to eliminate injustice, oppression, and unrighteousness, and to protect truth and righteousness.
On this occasion, large numbers of devotees have gathered since early morning at Krishna shrines worldwide, including various temples in Janakpurdham, Patan in Lalitpur, and Kathmandu. Devotees are celebrating the festival by observing a day-long fast, performing worship and prayers, chanting bhajans and kirtans until midnight, and staying awake through the night.
Religious Significance of Lord Krishna and Janmashtami
According to religious belief, when the oppression and sins of his maternal uncle Kansa grew during the Dvapara Yuga, Lord Krishna was born as the eighth child of Devaki and Vasudeva in the prison of Mathura at midnight on Bhadra Krishna Ashtami to end it. Furthermore, the message of selfless action (Nishkama Karma Yoga) given by Krishna through Arjuna during the Mahabharata war, recorded in the Srimad Bhagavad Gita, continues to be revered today as a universal guide for human life. Lord Krishna is considered the supreme person (Purushottama) complete with 16 divine qualities (Kalas). His childhood plays, lifting the Govardhan Hill, subduing the Serpent Kaliya, and the love story of Radha-Krishna inspire devotees to follow the path of devotion and love.
Key Highlights of Janmashtami Celebrations in Nepal, India, and Worldwide
Crowds of devotees have gathered since morning at the historic Gopal Temple and Radha-Krishna temples located in the ancient cultural city of Janakpurdham. According to the unique traditions of Mithilanchal, the temples feature special adornments (Shringar) of Lord Krishna and Radha, grand ceremonial baths (Maha-Abhisheka), bhajan-kirtans, and vibrant decorations with lights and flowers.
Similarly, hundreds of thousands of devotees have gathered at major religious sites including the famous Patan Krishna Temple in Kathmandu Valley, Budhanilkantha, as well as Mathura, Vrindavan, Dwarka, and Jagannath Puri in India, where the Dahi Handi festival is being organized with great enthusiasm. Beyond South Asia, special Aarti, cultural programs, kirtans, and distribution of Mahaprasad are taking place at thousands of ISKCON temples in Nepal and across the globe, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, and Malaysia. Non-Resident Nepali and Indian communities abroad are preserving their native culture by gathering at local temples, chanting bhajans and kirtans, and showcasing Radha-Krishna pageants (Jhankis).
Embodying the grand message of the victory of righteousness over unrighteousness, brotherhood, and selfless action, this holy festival has united devotees worldwide in a bond of unity, peace, and devotion.
प्रतिक्रिया