The Lord Krishna, the eighth avthar of Vishnu.His birthday falls on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha or the 8th day of the dark fortnight of the month of Shravan Masa. Popularly known as Janam Ashtami or Krishna Jayanthi.
This festival is celebrated on two days, once on the actual day ( Janam Ashtami) of his birth in prison at Mathura, and the next day (Krishna Jayanthi) on his being discovered in the house of Nand and Yashoda at Gokul. According to the Mythology and scriptures Krishna plays an enlightening role in the Mahabharatha (Great epic) giving us the life enduring message from the Bhagavat Gita.
This is the festival of sweets and revives the childhood stages of Krishna. The Lord is worshipped with offerings – milk, curd, butter, cream, honey and avvalakki (all are Krishna’s favourites), variety of fruits and flowers along with lots and lots of sweets and savouries. People decorate the idols of God with flowers and decorate the Lord with silk and jewelery. They arrange dolls/idols depicting the childhoodof Krishna in the cradle, stealing butter, playing with the Gopikas, Mother Yashodha viewing the Vishwa Roopa Darshana, Krishna with Radha etc.
Rangolis (sacred, coloured designs/patterns decorated on floor) are drawn in front of the houses with various colours. Special foot steps of Lord is made as if baby entering the house. The Puja is performed in at midnight of Janam Ashtami. People arrange for Bhajans (Devotional songs) and Sathsang (singing in Bhajans)
Sri Krishna Janmashtami witnesses the exuberant enactment of the God’schildhood endeavors to steal butter and curd from earthen pots beyond his reach. A matka or pot containing these is suspended high above the ground and groups of young men and children form human pyramids to try and reach the pot and eventually break it.
Huli vesha (tiger dance) is a unique form of folk dance in Dakshina kannada that fascinates the young and the old alike. This dance is performed during the Dussera celebration, Krishna Janmasthami.
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