Janmashtami is one of the important festivals of Hinduism, which is celebrated with great enthusiasm and passion across India. As per Hindu calendar, Hindus celebrate Janmashtami in the Shravanam month, on eighth day of the Krishna paksha as the birth of Lord Krishna on Earth.

Spiritual significance of Janmashtami

The birthday of Sree Krishna or Janmashtami holds a great spiritual significance in Hinduism. Lord Sree Krishna was born inside a cell on the dark night. His parents Vasudeva and Devaki were locked in a prison by King Kansa, Devaki's brother. Kansa imprisoned Vasudeva and Devaki as he was afraid of the forecast that their eighth son would kill him. Krishna was born after first six children were killed by Kansa while the seventh one was an apparent miscarriage. It was actually the secret transfer of infant to Rohini as Balarama. When the lord was born, all the guards slept off, chains of the jail gates broke and the barred doors flew open.

In the deep sense of Janmashtami, the message lies that all human beings spend life filled with darkness and emotions like anger, greed, temptations, pain and attachment. Lord Krishna takes birth on the earth to fade the darkness in human life releasing chains of all the worldly pleasures.

Janmashtami celebrations

Hindus celebrate Janmashtami with immense ‘bhakti’ by fasting and being awake till midnight as it is believed that Lord Krishna is born at midnight. Devotees gather at midnight and celebrate Janmashtami or Krishnashtami by singing devotional songs and reciting Hindu scriptures. As a symbol of his birth and arrival onto the earth, the idol of Little Krishna or 'Baal Gopal' is placed in a cradle and devotees sing songs to make little Krishna sleep by gently rocking the cradle. They recite hymns joyfully. ‘Prasads’ or ‘Naivedyam’ like butter, cheese, milk etc. will be offered to the lord by devotees.

Janmashtami or Krishnashtami message

Krishnashtami holds a very special place amongst Hindu festivals. The festival is celebrated as a message to encourage the good and destroy the evil. As the occasion brings everyone together in a way it promotes unity and faith.

According to Hindu mythology, it is also believed that the Lord Vishnu takes birth when ever evil or darkness prevails on earth to eradicate it. Krishna avatar is one of the avatars of Sree Maha Vishnu. Dasavathars or ten avatars of Sree Maha Vishnu include Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Balarama and Kalki. Thus, to restore cosmic order and to restore the dharma, Vishnu is said to descend in form of an avatar in every yuga.

-Sumana