Janmashtami Celebrations in India

Radhe Radhe japo chale aayenge beehari
Aayenge bihari chale aayenge beehari
Radhe Radhe

Janmashtami in 2011 :Monday 22 August

Janmashtami is the joyous celebration of Shri Krishna's birthday. Lord Krishna is considered as one of the most beloved incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He was born 5000 years ago in the holy city of Mathura, which is now a part of Uttar Pradesh. The festival usually falls in the month of August/ September, on the Krishna Paksh or the 8th day eight day of the dark half of the month of Bhadraba.

Celebration of Janmashtami : Janmashtami is one of the important festival of the Hindus, celebrated with great enthusiasm and devotion in India.All the major celebration of the Krishnashtami are performed during the midnight as Lord Krishna is said to have made his heavenly appearance at that time only. Raslila is performed to portray incidents of his life and to memorialize his immense love for Goddess Radha. Idol of Bal Krishna is bathed with Panchamrit at midnight and is placed in a beautiful cradle, embellished with new clothes and other makeup. Devotional songs, dances, prayers and many other rituals mark the celebration of Janmashtami in India.

On this auspicious occasion people observe fast and keep vigil till midnight. Temple are decorated to the fullest. People visit their nearby temples in oder to offer prayers and seek blessings of Lord Krishna. Celebration for Janmashtami start in the evening and continues till midnight, devotees offer fruits and specially made food to the Lord Krishna. The festival brings happiness and prosperity in everyone's home.

Janmashtami in Mathura and Vrindavan : Through the country Janmashtami is celebrated in its own distinct way. But the celebrations of Janmashtami in Mathura and Vrindavan, is really special. As it is the same place where Lord Krishna was born and spent his childhood. It is the only place where celebrations of Janmashtami continues for three consecutive days.

The first day is called the Gokulashtami and is celebrated in a very colorful way. On the second day called as Kalastami. And the third day is called Janmashtami. On this day a special ceremony of 'Dahi Handi' takes place where the pot containing the milk, curd and other ingredients is broken by the youths. During the midnight maha arti is performed, after which the prasad is distributed among the devotees to break their fast. The festival creates the ambiance of devotion among the people.

Arti of Janmashtami (Prayers for Janmashtami) :

Lord Krishna's Arti

Jai shri Krishna hare, prabhu jai jai Girdhari,
Danav-dal balihari, Go dwij hitkari.

Jai Govind dayanidhi, Govardhan dhari,
Vanshidhar banvari, braj jan priyakari.

Ganika godh ajamil, gajpati bhayhari,
Arat-arti hari, jai mangalkari.

Gopalak gopeshwar, draupadi dukhdari,
Shabar suta sukhkari, Gautam tiya tari.

Jan prahlad pramodak, narhari tanu dhari,
jan man ranjankari, diti sut sanhari.

Tidwish-sut sanrakshak, rakshak manjhari,
Pandu suvan shubhkari, kaurav madhari.

Manmath-manmath mohan, murli rav kari,
Vrindavipin bihari, yamuna tat chari.

Agh bak baki udharak, trinavarta tari,
bidhi surpati madhari, kansa muktikari.

Shesh mahesh saraswati, gun gavat hari,
Kal kirti vistari, bhakt bheeti hari.

Narayan sharnagat, ati agh aghhari,
Pad-raj pawankari, chahat hitkari


Bhajans and songs for Janmashtami : -

Itna to Karna Swami by Shri Anup Jalota with lyrics in English and Hindi
Itna to Karna Swami, Jab Praan tan se nikle (2)

Govinda Naam leke, Tab pran tan se nikle,
Shri Gangaji the tat ho, Jamuna Ka vanshivat ho,
mera sawla nikat ho, jab pran tan se Nikle

Pitambari kasi ho, Chabi maan main yeh basi ho,
Hotho pe kuch hasi ho, jab pran tan se nikle

Jab kanth pran aye, koi rog na sataye (2)
Yam darash na dikhaye, Jab pran tan se nikle

us vakt jaldi ana, nahi Shyam Bhul Jana,(2)
Radhe ko saath lana, jab pran tan se nikle,

ek bhakt ki hai arji, khud garj ki hai garji
aage Tumhari marji jab pran tan se Nikle
Itna to karna Sai, Jab pran tan se Nikle

Aparana Chauhan