JANMASHTAMI CELEBRATION 

Janmashtami was the day Bhagwan Shri Hari Vishnu was born via Devki’s womb to free the world from all sins. Bhagwan Krishna was born in Mathura in Bhadrapada of Krishna Paksha’s, Ashtami, Rohini Nakshatra as the son of Vasudev and Devki. As Bhagwaan Krishna took birth at midnight, Vasudev lugged Bhagwaan Krishna in a basket placed on his head to drop him to Nandbaba’s place, where he could grow old and safe from Kans (Devki’s brother). The principal aim of Bhagwan Krishna’s birth was to make the world sin-free, and Maharaja Kans was a sinful person who committed many wrongs in his life’s journey to eliminate him.  In India, everyone celebrates Janmashtami in different styles like playing with colours, itaar (scent) flowers, the Dahi handi program, and performing Raas Leela by playing different roles of Vasudev, Devki, Kans, Balram, Nandbaba, Yoshida, and Krishna.  Mathura is the birthplace of the Bhagwan Krishna. In Mathura, every temple gets embellished with lights, lamps, flowers, and other decorative items on Janmashtami. Bhagwan Krishna (Laddu Gopal) dressed in beautiful poshak, mukut, mala, vig, and many other accessories of bright and vibrant colours. Bhagwan Krishna devotees do fasting on the occasion of Janmashtami as, according to the shastra, devotees get salvation, and all the wishes come true. They showered Bhagwan Krishna idols with Haldi (turmeric), Dahi (curd), ghee, makhaan (butter), tel (oil), Gulab Jal (rose water), Kesar (saffron), Kapoor, and many more.  On the occasion of Janmashtami, there is a unique aura in the air of purity, peace, hope, happiness, and wondrous, which you can feel.  Not only in India, but people abroad also celebrate the Janmashtami worldwide as one of the most significant festivals.

WHY IS KRISHNA KNOWN AS LADDU GOPAL ?

WHY WAS LORD VISHNU BORN AS KRISHNA ?

Lord Vishnu took dashavatara to sink to empower the good and fight evil, restoring Dharma among people. In contrast, Krishna was the ninth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Reason for the birth of Krishna was to descend and qualify the good and evil fight and to eliminate all the Adharma. We have also known Lord Vishnu as Krishna (Laddu Gopal); in this era of Dvapara Yuga, the third-best yugas among all. Lord Vishnu was born as Krishna in this yuga from Devki’s womb. As described, maharaja Kans in Puranas as Demon (Asur), Maharaja of Mathura. Kansa loved her sister Devki and got her married to Vasudev. Afterwards, Kansa heard a voice from the sky (akashvani) forecasting that Devki’s eighth son would put him to death. Kansa imprisoned Devki and Vasudev and murdered all of their children. However, just before the birth of the seventh child, Devki and Vasudev got the order from Mahamaya to send the child from her womb to Rohini’s womb (Vasudev, another wife). Later, Rohini gave birth to Devki’s and Vasudev’s seventh son, Balaram. The eighth son, Krishna, was born. Vasudev witnessed a miracle. The prison cell doors, which were all locked and protected by heavily armed guards, were open and unguarded. Vasudev took the child out of prison without any difficulty. He took Lord Krishna to the village of Gokul Kshatriya, chief Nandbaba’s head of cowherds.

WHY RAKSHA BANDHAN IS CELEBRATED IN INDIA ?

Raksha Bandhan or Rakhi is a Hindu festival celebrating brothers’ and sisters’ love. It is a festival to celebrate the relationship of love shared between brothers and sisters. The occasion usually falls in Shraavana as per the Hindu calendar, yet in late August or early September. In central India, we celebrate Rakhi or Raksha Bandhan on the full moon day of the month of Chaitra. Still, on this day, siblings send other gifts to show how much they care. During Rakhi, sisters tie colorful threads, known as RAKHI, on their brothers’ wrists and make sure their brothers show them respect. In India, people believe brothers will take care of their sisters. Rakhi signifies the powerful bond between brothers and sisters and the duties and responsibilities brothers have to perform towards their sisters.

WHAT IS KAMIKA EKADASHI AND WHEN IS KAMIKA EKADASHI?

Kamika Ekadashi ( कामिका एकादशी ) is one of the notable Ekadashi vrats that happens to fall on the 11th day of Krishna Paksha in the month of “Shravan” as per the Indian Hindi Calendar which 25th of July 2022. However, according to the English Calendar, it drops somewhere in the month of July-August.  RITUALS DURING KAMIKA EKADASHI   The devotees worship Lord Vishnu on this day with total keenness and devotion. Devotees worship Lord Vishnu (Bhagwan Krishna) with Tulsi leaves, flowers, sesame seeds, fruits, lighting of Diya, and ask God for forgiveness for all the sins they enacted; They performed this entire process early in the morning.  On this very day, it is essential to worship the Tulsi plant, as Tulsi Ji is considered dedicated to Lord Vishnu. A slender glimpse of Tulsi leaves on Kamika Ekadashi will sweep away all the sins, and contributing prayers to her will eliminate all the diseases. Watering of Tulsi plants will protect you from the God of Death (Lord Yama), so it plays a crucial role during the Kamika Ekadashi vrat rituals, which is the very reason for all the Hindus to have Tulsi plants in their houses.  On Kamika, Ekadashi people can perform vrat by refusing to drink water or eating anything all day long, or it can be a partial vrat too where devotees can also intake milk products and eat fruits. This vrat is over the next day, the 12th day of “Shravan” (Dwadashi), after feeding and presenting money and clothes to brahmins.   The Kamika Ekadashi vrat aims to fulfill the wishes of its performers and blesses them with a prosperous life. Devotees can also perform Jagran, bhajan, and kirtan in praise of Lord Vishnu (Bhagwan Krishna) and read ‘Vishnu Sahastrsanaam’ and chanting ‘Om Namo Narayana’ is considered auspicious activity on this day.