In the Spirit of Janmashtami: My Journey of Celebrating Krishna's Blessings
As we journey through Janmashtami, we are guided by the divine presence of Lord Krishna, blessing us with love, joy, and spiritual fulfillment.
Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, stands as a symbol of faith, tradition, and vibrant festivity celebrated across India and by devotees worldwide. This important festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna with great enthusiasm on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha , usually occurring between late August and early September. Janmashtami goes beyond simple celebration, serving as a deep communal expression of devotion, joy, and cultural heritage.
In this article, I am delighted to share how my community celebrates this auspicious event, though it's important to note that practices might vary greatly due to India's rich cultural diversity.
1. Krishna's Footprints
One of the most heartwarming and symbolic traditions of Janmashtami involves creating Lord Krishna's footprints, a ritual that brings to life the playful stories of Krishna's childhood. According to the stories, Krishna loved butter, often stealing it and leaving behind a series of buttery footprints.
To celebrate these mischievous acts, we make footprints using a blend of rice flour and water. It's crucial that this mixture has the right consistency; it should be similar to dosa batter—not too thick and not too runny. We then dip one side of our hand in the batter and press it onto the floor, adding five dots at the top of each imprint to represent fingers, thereby creating the illusion of baby Krishna's footprints.
An equally cherished method involves dipping a child's feet in the batter and guiding them to walk, thus leaving a series of buttery footprints. This tradition holds a special place in the hearts of many of us, including myself when my son was young.
2. Krishna's Abhishekam
Following the creation of footprints, we proceed with the ritual of bathing the idol of baby Krishna, a sacred ceremony known as Abhishekam. We begin by placing the Krishna idol on a plate designated for this holy purpose. The Abhishekam involves pouring offerings over the idol, such as honey, milk, ghee (clarified butter), yogurt, and water, each symbolizing different aspects of purification and sanctification. After the Abhishekam is done, we usually consume the water, capturing the essence of divine blessings. After the bath, the idol is gently dried, then adorned with flowers and various ornaments, setting the stage for the Pooja (worship ceremony). In my personal practice, I have both a small idol of baby Krishna and a Radha-Krishna idol, which I lovingly prepare and use for the pooja.
3. Krishna's Naivedyam
The culinary aspect of Janmashtami holds equal significance, highlighted by offerings known as Naivedyam, made to Lord Krishna. Typically, we offer butter (Krishna's favorite), Aval (beaten rice), and Appam (a sweet dish), accompanied by other delicacies such as Seedai, Laddoo, and Murukku. The preparation and presentation of these foods are carried out with the utmost devotion and care, symbolizing our offerings of love to the divine.
4. Janmashtami Pooja
After the footprints, Abishegam, and Neivedhyam are completed, we will begin the pooja (prayer) by lighting the lamp (Deepam), offering incense (Dhoop), performing the Aarti (Harathi) — an act of waving a lit lamp in front of the deities while accompanied by songs and prayers — and also offering Naivedhyam. Once the pooja is completed, we will partake of the Naivedhyam (food) offered during the ceremony. This final act of worship captures the intense devotion and respectful dedication of devotees, bringing the vibrant and sacred celebration of Janmashtami to a dignified conclusion.
5. Janmashtami Abroad
Since settling abroad in recent years, my family and I have begun visiting temples to celebrate Janmashtami. These temple visits typically involve a variety of programs, including bhajans (devotional songs) and spiritual discourses. It gives us a feeling similar to how we celebrate in India, fostering a sense of connection to our cultural and religious roots.
Krishna Janmashtami thus serves as a time of profound spiritual reflection, joyous celebration, and cultural preservation, uniting communities in their shared devotion and reverence for Lord Krishna. It is a festival that transcends mere religious observance, embodying the values of love, joy, and divine bliss, making it a cherished event in the hearts of millions around the globe.
Your feedback is always appreciated. I will be sharing another Indian festival in my upcoming article. Stay tuned!
Your engagement till the end is truly appreciated. Until next time, stay well and keep learning.
