“One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activities does not, upon leaving the body, take his birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna.”
(Srimad-Bhagavad-gita : Chapter 4, Verse 9 – Translatio n)
It was 5240 years ago (3228 BCE) that Lord Krishna appeared in Mathura (India) as the son of Vasudev and Devaki. When the time was mature for the appearance of the Lord, the constellations became very auspicious. The astrological influence of the constellation known as Rohini was also pre-dominant because this constellation is considered very auspicious. At the time of Krishna’s birth, the planetary systems became adjusted in a way such that everything became auspicious. The whole nature was rejoicing the birth of the Supreme Lord.
Since then, Janmashtami is celebrated across the globe as the Divine Appearance Day of Shri Krishna Bhagvan by his followers and admirers across the globe. Janmashtami is not only celebrated by Indians living abroad, but also across all cultures by people of all beliefs and races.
Janmashtami Celebrations in Pakistan
Many thousands of devotees of Krishna gather at the Swami Narayan Mandir in Karachi, which is Pakistan’s biggest city and financial capital and one of the major centres of celebrations in Pakistan.
Kids dressed as Shri Krishna and Shrimati Radha visit Swami Narayan temple with their parents. Bhajan singers perform devotional songs glorifying Shri Krishna and His pastimes and the mood of the festival can be easily witnessed in the way people gather for this celebration. Shri Gaur Nitai Bhawan is beautifully decorated and abhishek of Laddoo Gopal ji is done sumptuously. Final arti is attended by many thousands of devotees of Shri Krishna (all of them are from the minority Hindu population of Pakistan).
Janmashtami Celebrations at Shrinath ji Temple in Nathdwara
At the Shrinath ji temple at Nathdwara in Rajasthan, 21 canon shots are offered to the Lord as a salute. This annual ritual is being carried out here for the last 400 years. This town of Shrinath ji has a distinct culture, as the cultures of Brijbhoomi and Mewar amalgamate here. Shrinath ji is the form in which Shri Krishna is 7 years old as he lifted the Govardhan mountain.
Janmashtami Celebrations in Mathura
Mathura, the birthplace of Shri Krishna celebrates Janmashtami in a very grand manner. Celebrations are marked by elaborate rituals and vibrant cultural events. Temples across the city are decorated with flowers, lights, and intricate rangoli designs, while the street are filled with processionschanting praises of Nandlal.
The focal point of these celebrations is the Shri Krishna Janmbhoomi temple. This is the spot where Krishna took birth. Devotees gather in massive numbers to witness the midnight arti and darshan, which mark the moment of Krishna’s transcendental birth.
Janmashtami Celebrations at the Govind Dev ji Temple
Janmashtami Celebrations at the Govind Dev ji Temple in Jaipur are very special since the deities of Shri Radha Govind Dev ji in Jaipur are the original deities once served by Srila Rupa Goswami Prabhupada, who was a great devotee of Shri Krishna. Srila Rupa Goswami (1489-1564) was a prolific writer and a guru of the Gaudiya Vaishnava tradition.
Celebrations at this temple go on for more than a week as many artists perform in front of the deities to give pleasure to the Lord. Performers, dancers, singers and folk artists enact pastimes of the Lord to please the Lord using their talents. The Lord of Jaipur is decorated very beautifully in fabulous garments, just like a King!
Janmashtami Celebrations in Dwarka
Dwarka in Gujarat is the city where Shri Krishna spent the maximum years of his life. He is also known as Dwarkadheesh or the king of Dwarka, as this is the place where he ruled for many years.
Janmashtami, the birthday of Shri Krishna, is celebrated with great splendour. Rows of lights are lit everywhere, kirtans and bhajans are sung, sermons are delivered, and Krishna is worshipped in his infant form. Thousands of people go to Dwarka to visit the temple and participate in the jubilation. Devotees from all over India throng the city of Dwarka during Janamashtami. The celebration on Janmashtami follows the daily routine or ‘Nitya Kram’ of Lord Krishna. Rituals are performed by Aboti brahmins, who are special brahmins performing these rituals for the past many centuries now.
Dwarkadhish is adorned with a lot of gold jewellery and other precious stones such as diamond and topaz. This happens around 11:00 PM. Utsav Bhog is offered to Lord around 11:30 PM. Devotees are not allowed to see the process of Utsav Bhog, though they wait eagerly for their beloved Lord in the temple premises and sing bhajans. The devotees welcome the Lord at 12 midnight with immense enthusiasm and joy while having His darshan. After nearly two-hour celebrations, the temple closes at 2:00 AM after mahabhog offerings. Bal Gopal deity is kept in a cradle in the temple premises for the darshan. Thus, the Janmashtami celebrations finally end in the Dwarkadhish temple.
Lord Krishna was a magnanimous historical personality who is worshipped with devotion everywhere in the world. The Divine teachings of Srimad Bhagavad-Gita imparted by Him to His friend and disciple Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukshetra is a great boon for mankind and will continue to guide the human society for many thousands of years. He gives devotion, liberation and all material benedictions to his devotees. In Kaliyuga, the congregational singing of the holy names of the Lord or sankirtan is specifically recommended for deliverance from the repeated cycle of birth and death and attaining the Supreme abode of the Lord – Goloka Vrindavan.
Different moods, colors and feelings of devotees make this festival special.
This festival is widespread and exuberant. It’s so heartening to see that Shri Krishna’s birthday is celebrated even after 5200 years of his appearance by many millions of his believers practically everywhere in the world. This devotion is exemplary and fascinating.