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Janmaashtami is the celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna, an avtaar of Narayana. It is believed that He was born during the Dwaapara yuga, the third quarter of Time, when the world was weighed down by adharma and the divine incarnation had to take birth to usher in righteousness.

Innumerable literary works have been composed in praise of Lord Krishna, besides the historical documents stating that he was an excellent statesman and not a deity. This day is also known as Sreekrishna Jayanthi, Gokulaashttami and Ashttamirohini depending from which region of India one hails from. Like every festival, Janmashtami too has a greater significance apart from just the religious one. In India and everywhere else for Indians it is a time for social get togethers and time to exchange goodwill amongst each other.

Hindu festivals are observed following the Indian lunar calendar and therefore dates change every year unlike the "English" or solar calender. This year, Janmaashtami was celebrated on the 12th & 13th of August. Two dates are observed for Janmaashtami. The Smaarthaas observe the festival on Ashtami thithi (lunar day) and the Vaishnavites, on Rohini thithi, of the month Aashaada (aadi). Ashtami and Rohini being the lunar asterisms.

Janmaashtami is celebrated in the evening, as it is believed that Lord Krishna was born at night. On the morning of the festival, the entire house and the front of the house is thoroughly cleaned. Rangoli (kolam) is drawn with rice water paste and highlighted using red oxide (kaavi) at the entrance of the house as well as in the pooja area. From the entrance to the pooja room small feet, depicting the lord's shree-paad (thiruvadi) are drawn. One could do this by dipping one's fist into the rice water paste and placing it carefully on the floor. Dip the thumb and mark the big toe, and the index fingers for the rest of the small toes.

Pooja is performed to either an idol or a picture of Lord Krishna. Pooja can also be performed with neither of these, but by invoking the name of Lord in one's mind. Contemplating on the Absolute is a difficult task for most of us, but I guess rituals like preparing for Pooja, narrating stories and singing Bhajans in the praise of Lord makes it easy for most of us to remember God and acquire peace of mind.

It is believed that Lord Krishna as a toddler loved to eat butter, snacks, sweets and savories. And it is also believed that by offering these eatables as prashad (neivedyam/niveidyam) the Lord would be pleased. Down south of India, murukku, salt cheedai(cheeda), jaggery cheedai (cheeda), kola vadai, cheepi, vadai, thattai, appam, paayasam, aval (beaten rice flakes), jaggery, butter, milk, curd, paanakam (concoction of dry ginger and sugar in water), bananas, tulsi (basal leaves), betel leaves, betel nuts, coconut, wood apple, guava, black berry, pears, flowers etc. are arranged tastefully in front of the Lord. The idol/picture is decorated with flowers & garlands. The lamp is polished and lighted and the lady of the house shows aarthi. The family gathers around and songs in praise of the Lord are sung as well. Once the pooja is over, a sumptuous dinner is served.

We are moving from traditional environments. With globalization and the world getting smaller, people are becoming less and less inclined towards celebrations like this. Whether it's good or bad, right or wrong, it is not for me to say. Personally I love to observe festivals, simply because its a joyous occasion; gives us a break from the humdrum of our lives; valid excuse to skip the diet; greatest of all it's the time when family and friends gather to chat, exchange snacks, admire the Lord etc. Not too long ago when we had more of communal living, apart from the bickering & gossiping, festivals used to be the time when households became alive. More so because of the kids in the family and the ones from the neighborhood. They brought laughter, and in their awe of what ma/grandma had done with the decorations to the house and the idol, there was a chance of believing that yes, maybe the good Lord has blessed us after all.

Where I live, in my generation there are less and less couples & families remembering and observing festivals. As I said before, apart from the religious significance, all festivals observed by Indians are a time for strengthening friendships and remembering family & practices. We don't want to come to a stage where popular celebrations like Xmas, New Year (1st Jan), Valentines Day etc., are the only recognizable festivals! It is important to preserve our traditions and festivals, whether we live in India, or outside India.

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