HINDU FASTS & FESTIVALS : 19-4.

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19. KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI-4.


On the holy Krishna Janmashtami, the ladies in South India decorate their houses beautifully, ready to welcome the Lord.

They prepare various sweetmeats and offer them to the Lord.

Butter was Krishna’s favourite, and this is also offered.

From the doorway to the inner meditation room of the house the floor is marked with a child’s footprints, using some flour mixed with water.

This creates the feeling in them that the Lord’s own Feet have made the mark.

They treat the day as one of very great rejoicing.

There is recitation of the Bhagavatam, singing and praying everywhere.


The Janmashtami is celebrated at the Sivananda Ashram, Rishikesh, with the following programme of intense spiritual activity:

1. During the preceding eight days, Japa of Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya is done intensely.

2. Those who can, will recite the Bhagavatam during this period. Others will listen to it being recited.

3. On the birthday itself everyone fasts and spends the whole day in holy communion.

4. Everyone greets others with the holy Mantra, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya.

5. A grand havan is performed on that day.

6. There is continuous Satsang from 4a.m. early in the morning till night. Yogis, Sannyasins and learned men discourse upon the glorious life and teachings of the Lord.

7. From sunset people assemble in the elaborately decorated temple and sing the Lord’s Names and glories.

8. Many hymns and portions of the Bhagavatam, especially the Gopika Geetam, are recited.

9. Towards midnight, there is a grand worship of Lord Krishna. The Lord is bathed with milk while His Name is chanted 108 times.

10. This worship concludes with offerings of flowers, waving of lights (Arati), and reading of that portion of the Bhagavatam which deals with the birth of Krishna.

This synchronises with midnight, the hour of the Lord’s birth, at which time the murti of the Lord is rocked in a beautifully decorated cradle.

After this item, all the assembled devotees partake of the holy prasad or sacrament, and then retire, filled with the Grace and blessings of Lord Krishna.

Swami Sivananda
 To be continued  .....



Swami Sivananda Asramam-Rishikesh

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