Article by Darshana Jamindar
As per Hindu Calender, its Janmashtami or the birth of Lord Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu on earth. Janmashtmi is observed on the eighth day of the dark half of the month of Bhadrapada as per Hindu calendar. Janmashtami celebration in Dwarka invites lakhs of devotees from all around the world to India.
Dwarka is considered as Gateway to Salvation as per Hindu mythology. It is claimed that Lord Krishna and his elder brother Balram developed ancient city. Divine guru Vishwakarma built it in just two days. Mythology says the city is said to have been studded with diamonds and crystal, with gold palaces, emeralds and other precious stones. It was living of Lord Krishna for nearly 100 years. After Lord Krishna’s death, the city is believed to have been submerged in the sea.
Janmashtami celebration follows daily routine or ‘Nitya Kram’ of Lord Krishna. Festival day begins with morning’s mangla arti . Beginning with special prasad Banta Bhog, made out of milk products offered to Lord Krishna, followed by cleansing of his face with water, brushing of the idol’s teeth. Then morning darshan of the day is made open to devotees.
Lord Krishna is given the holy bath between 8 – 10 am where devotees can see the abhishek, which happens only twice a year. Bath is given right after the mangla arti with Panchamrit, a mixture made up of five ingredients gangajal, ghee, honey, curd and sugar. After the bath, Lord Krishna is adorned with pitambar, yellow colored clothes and ornaments. Ornaments consists of Chandanmala, Vyjantimala, made of flowers and Suparimala made of Betel nut. After the adornment of Shri Krishna, the curtains are removed and devotees are allowed to do the darshan of the Lord. This is followed by offering of Shringar Bhog to the Lord Krishna.
During this ritual, curtains are lowered down again and darshans are not allowed. After the evening arti, Lord is offered sweets again; devotees are not allowed the darshans of the Lord during this time. Then it is time for Dwarkadhish to sleep. This happens around 9:00 pm. It is around 10:30 pm that darshans are opened again for the devotees during the Janmashtami celebrations.
Lord Dwarkadhish is adorned with lot of Gold jewellery and other precious stones such as Diamonds and Topaz. Utsav Bhog is offered to Lord around 11:30 pm. Devotees are not allowed to see the process of Utsav Bhog though they wait eagerly for their beloved Lord in the temple premises and sing bhajans. The devotees welcome the Lord at 12 midnight with immense enthusiasm and joy by chanting “Nand Gher Anand Bhayo Jay Kanaiya lal ki”. After nearly two-hour celebrations, the temple closes at 2:00 am after the mahabhog offerings to Lord Krishna.
In Gujarat, markets are full with idols of Bal Krishna and colorful swings. Every temple and house hold has decorated swings with Bal Krishna idol in colorful costumes sitting on it. The main Prasad known as PANCHAJIRI or PANJARI is also work as protection against the seasonal disorder in people, as it made from five important elements of Ayurveda.
In Gujarat devotees visit Mathura, Dakor, Shrinathdwara and Shamlaji- for pilgrimage. Krishna Janmashtrami in Gujarat is also celebrated as festival of fairs in the state displaying the rich culture and traditions of rural folklore.
