Janmashtami is the most auspicious day, when almost 5000 years ago, at the end of Dwapar age in Saraswat Kalp, Absolute Brahm Shri Krishna descended on the earth to teach and grant true Divine love to the human beings. As per the luni-solar calendar, Janmashtmi falls on the eighth day after the full moon night of Shravan.
Mother Yashoda holding baby Krishna
Generally this festival is celebrated on two consecutive days. Vaishnavas (devotees of Lord Vishnu, who worship Him as God) celebrate it on the first day, to rejoice at the descension of Lord Shri Krishna in a jail in Mathura, where Devaki and Vasudev were imprisoned by Kansa.
On the other hand, the devotees of Nand Nandan Shri Krishna, celebrate Janmashtmi, the following day, when Shri Krishna was brought to the house of Mother Yashoda and Nand baba in Gokul. The residents of Gokul celebrated His arrival with unparalleled pomp and splendor. All inhabitants of Braj were drowned in the ocean of bliss. Being lost in divine ecstasy, everyone sang, danced & rejoiced with no inkling of eating, drinking and taking care of their house hold chores.
In modern times, to commemorate the day, devotees observe a fast, decorate their houses with glimpses of Shri Krishna’s childhood pastimes, bathe a moorti of infant Shri Krishna, perform kirtans, distribute delicious Prasad and sing and dance with great enthusiasm to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna.
On the other hand, the devotees of Nand Nandan Shri Krishna, celebrate Janmashtmi, the following day, when Shri Krishna was brought to the house of Mother Yashoda and Nand baba in Gokul. The residents of Gokul celebrated His arrival with unparalleled pomp and splendor. All inhabitants of Braj were drowned in the ocean of bliss. Being lost in divine ecstasy, everyone sang, danced & rejoiced with no inkling of eating, drinking and taking care of their house hold chores.
In modern times, to commemorate the day, devotees observe a fast, decorate their houses with glimpses of Shri Krishna’s childhood pastimes, bathe a moorti of infant Shri Krishna, perform kirtans, distribute delicious Prasad and sing and dance with great enthusiasm to celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna.
Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj asserts that the authentic way of celebrating Janmashtami is to remember Shri Krishna the whole day by being fully engaged in kirtan, decorating the place with glimpses of Shri Krishna's pastimes and preparing delicacies to offer to God. One should be so engaged in these activities that one should naturally forget about eating or drinking. In fact, this was the natural state of the residents of Gokul when Shri Krishna was born. To date, devotees try to imitate the state of Gokul residents by observing a fast. The purpose of celebrating Janmashtami, is to increase one’s devotion to the lotus feet of Lord Shri Krishna.
We celebrate Janmashtami at Shri Kripalu Kunj Ashram, Houston in the same authentic way by the grace of our revered Guru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. We perform Arti, sing beautiful bhajans, perform stage play of pastimes of Baby Krishna, do Abhishekam and at the end everyone dances in ecstasy singing -
Haathi Ghora Paalki, Jai Kanhaiya Laal Ki!!
We celebrate Janmashtami at Shri Kripalu Kunj Ashram, Houston in the same authentic way by the grace of our revered Guru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj. We perform Arti, sing beautiful bhajans, perform stage play of pastimes of Baby Krishna, do Abhishekam and at the end everyone dances in ecstasy singing -
Haathi Ghora Paalki, Jai Kanhaiya Laal Ki!!
