JANMASHTAMI

Rohit Malyala

Tarun Shah

Michael Strauss

Matthew Chihata

WHAT JANMASHTAMI COMMEMORATES

T

he birth of Lord Krishna.

I

t is celebrated on the eighth day of

the dark fortnight in Shravana. No

fixed date.

T

he equivalent of Christmas and

New Year’s combined.

S

ignifies the birth of a deity as well

as the dawn of a new era

IT IS DEDICATED TO…

K

rishna is one of the more powerful

incarnations of Vishnu

H

e has a rich, human personality

H

e has greatly influenced Indian

philosophy, lifestyle and traditions

H

e is a leader, hero, protector, philosopher,

teacher and friend in one.

MORE ON KRISHNA

THE ORIGINS OF JANMASHTAMI

KRISHNA’S BIRTH

T

here was an evil and tyrannical king named Kamsa. He hated everyone except his

cousin.

B

efore his cousin, Devaki, gets married to Vasudeva, Kamsa is told that their eighth

child will kill him.

K

amsa is scared and imprisons the newlyweds. He kills seven of their children,

despite their pleas for mercy.

W

hen the eighth child (Krishna) is born, a miracle occurs, and a heavenly voice tells

Vasudeva to run away, get exchange their boy with a friend’s child, and come back.

KING KAMSA’S FALL

Vasudeva does this, and when Kamsa tries to kill the

infant as usual, the baby transforms into a fierce sky

goddess.

The sky goddess says that Kamsa will die at the hands

of the child, Lord Krishna.

Kamsa is terrified and kills many more people in his

anxiety, but he is eventually killed by Krishna when He

grows up. Order is restored to the state.

This history is recited and retold at every

Janmashtami celebration.

HOW JANMASHTAMI IS CELEBRATED

I

t is customary to fast for at least one

day; the more pious you are, the

longer the fast

L

engthened puja to Krishna in which

dairy-sweets are offered

M

assive religious atmosphere

pervades every corner

C

ontinuous chanting of mantras

FASTING, PRAYER & DANCE

SPECIAL DRESS & ACTIVITIES

“

Dahi Handi” A pot of yogurt is placed high

up, and a group of boys need to create a

human pyramid to reach and break it

C

hildren make “painted footsteps” to signify

Lord Krishna’s presence in the household

R

ed and yellow are worn to symbolise youth,

wit, and the significance of birth.

THE END

Rohit Malyala

Tarun Shah

Michael Strauss

Matthew Chihata