Janmashtami

Happy Janmashtami to all of you!

कान्हा, कान्हा आन पड़ी में तेरे द्वार - शागिर्द (devotional song of Lord Krishna).

As per the Hindu calendar, Lord Krishna was born on Ashtami (8th day of the month) of Krishna Paksha (the period of fading moon) in the holy month of Shraavana. He was the eighth son of Vasudeva and Devaki, the sister of Mathura’s brutal king Kansa. When Kansa learned about the prophecy that Devaki’s eighth son would be the cause of his death, he locked up both Vasudeva and Devaki in a prison cell. Each of their children met with the same fate: death in the hands of Kansa.

This was until their eighth son was born. As per the instructions of a divine voice, Devaki 's husband carried Krishna on his head and walked all the way from Mathura to Vrindavan which was to be a safe haven for the newborn child. Yashoda and Nand took care of Krishna during his childhood days in Vrindavan. Krishna’s acts of mischief and heroism, his encounter with Kansa and other monsters, his fame as Makhanchor (one who steals butter), etc. are popular across the country.

Dahi Handi (curd pot)

One of the spectacles of the celebration is Dahi Handi, an event that narrates the story of young Krishna as Makhanchor. Handi or an earthen pot is filled with white butter, ghee, dry fruits, and milk. It is then hung with ropes at some height from the ground. As people gather around it to witness the moment, the young boys in the locality would form a human pyramid, climb up to the Handi and break it.

xoxo