Monday, Sep 10, 2007
Janmashtami festivities in Mathura and Vrindavan
A large number of Hindus devotees gathered at Vrindavan and Mathura Wednesday, September 4, 2007, on the occasion of “Janmashtami”, the birthday of Lord Krishna.
Vrindavan , in the Mathura District of Uttar Pradesh, is about 15 kilometres away from Mathura city.
All Krishna temples were decorated, with ardent devotees visiting the main temples.
People in Vrindavan get busy many days ahead of the festival preparing special dresses and ornaments to be sent to far off places for Krishna idols. They have been receiving orders from abroad too.
Minnilal Sharma, a dress-designing artist, said: “Ahead of Janmashtami master dress designers or artists are engaged to attend to the orders from abroad. It remains the busiest time of the year for us.”
Amidst preparations, the echoes of religious hymns and chants of Mahamantra—Hare Rama Hare Krishna— fill the air.
Vrindavan is visited by a large number of pilgrims throughout the year by devotees who profess a number of religious traditions such as Gaudiya Vaishnavism and Vaishnavism, and Hinduism in general.
The place houses around 5,000 temples many of them centuries old.
In Mathura, there is a high demand for colourful, little-sized dresses for Lord Krishna idols, as devotees like dressing up idols with embroidered colourful dresses and ornaments.
Krishna is said to have spent a long time in Rasleela (fun n frolic) activities with His beloved Radha and Gopis (cowherd girls) as a friend.
Jagdish Sharma, a local resident, said: "We, the Brijwasis (or, people of Brij region) consider Krishna, a friend and a child. This is the main difference between “Janmashtami” being celebrated here.”
Sharma said: “On Krishna’s birthday, we bathe him, decorate him and adorn his statutes with beautiful jewels and new clothes like a child of our family. That’s why everyone here is busy making Radha-Krishna idols and clothes to adorn them."
Many artists prepare Krishna idols of different materials and swings (used for a newborn to sleep).
Popular artist Vishnu Prasad is adept at preparing alloy idols of Krishna, prepares “Ladoo Gopal”, the child Krishna who relishes sweets. He prepares only alloy idols of Krishna through out the year.
Vishnu Prasad says: For me the ability to prepare Shri Krishna’s statue as “Ladoo Gopal” is that ultimate joy what I feel is nothing less than Lord’s special blessing on me.” (ANI)
People in Orissa, West Bengal celebrated Jhulan Yatra
Hindus in Orissa and West Bengal celebrated colourful "Jhulan Yatra", which literally means swing procession ahead of Janmashtami, the festival marking the birth of Lord Krishna.
During the 17-day long festival, which began on August 23, idols of Lord Krishna and his consort, Radha, are placed on beautifully decorated swings and nights are spent in singing and dancing before the deities.
"With the onset of monsoon, when the nature assumes green form, Radharani (consort of Hindu God Krishna) prepares a swing deep in the jungle and invites Lord Krishna for 'raasleela' (cosmic dance performed by Krishna with his consorts). This festival is to commemorate the ritual," said Mahanta Adhikari Banshidhar Das Goswami, priest at Gadagadia Math.
Though the origin of the festival is not known, it is believed Jhulan Yatra is the first major festival after the famous Chariot festival.
"I have full devotion towards Jagannath Temple. That's why I have come here to see the Jhulan Yatra. The swings made in different designs and colours for God attract me. I come here every year," said Prashanta Kumar Panda, a devotee.
People believe visiting temples during the festival absolves them of all sins and bring prosperity. (ANI)
Mumbaikars participated in breaking of Dahi Handi on Janmashtami
Residents of Mumbai participatea in 'Dahi Handi', one of the most awaited ceremonies related to Janmashtami.
The event involves young boys climbing on each other to form a human pyramid and the boy at the top breaking a clay pot filled with curd.
The ceremony was popularised by freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak in the 19th century.
"In Spain, people congregate in large numbers to watch the formation of a human pyramid. The atmosphere in Mumbai is the same during the Govinda festival. So, tourists will definitely come to see people making a pyramid,” said Vijay Chavan, General Manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation.
Krishna is believed to have spent most of his adult life in Dwarka, Gujarat.
"The temple falls under Z category (high risk area). We have set up checking points. We have also displayed pamphlets in hotels to help us avert a terror attack," said Mayur Solanki, a police sub-inspector before the festival.
Janmashtami includes the celebration of a number of ceremonies like Raslila and Jhankis (tableaux).
Dahi Handi is a re-enactment of Lord Krishna's efforts to steal butter from a earthen pot suspended from the ceiling.
The ceremony of Dahi Handi generally takes place on the second day of Janmashtami. An earthen pot containing a mixture of milk, dry fruits, ghee is hung around 20-30 feet high in the air with the help of a rope. Silver coins are hung along with the rope, which are later distributed to the winners.
The breaking of the pot is followed by a prize distribution ceremony. Devotees believe that the broken earthen pot will keep mice and negative powers away from homes.
Janmashtami is celebrated on two consecutive days, the day when Krishna was born, and the day when he was brought to Gokul by his father Vasudeva. (© ANI)
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