Delhi citizens on the occasion of
Janmashtami, fasted and feasted undeterred by the humid weather and also prayed
at many of the temples has been brightly decked to mark the festivities. People
of all ages flocked to the temples all of which were decorated with flowers,
banana leaves as well as colorful fancy lights. The entire gamut of the
celebrations was centered on the popular temples such as that of Birla Mandir
in central Delhi.
Outside the temples, one could come across
many stalls which were busy in serving fresh fruit for the devotees. Shobha
yatras or the religious processions and cultural programs have also been
planned as part of the Birla Mandir celebrations later in the day.
Lit up in fancy lights, elaborate tableaux
displayed the birth of Lord Krishna. You could also come across children
dressed like Krishna as part of the Birla Mandir celebrations with a peacock
feather which has been stuck on their headbands and flutes in their hands. The
two milk delicacies of Panjiri and Panchamrit along with fresh fruit are the
two common prasadams which were served to the devotees.
Janmashtami in India is celebrated by
singing of bhajans or devotional songs and also by the chanting of mantras
which resound in all of the temples the whole day while the devotees pour in
large numbers to pray to Krishna and his consort Radha. Legend tells us that it
was midnight when Lord Krishna was born and it is during this time that the
festivities peak. At midnight the priests with regards to the Janmashtami in
India perform the "Mahabhishekha" which is an offering of a mixture
of water and milk over the deity. It is at this time that the sounds of the
ringing of bells and the blowing conches which fill the air.
There are many people in India who bathe a
small idol of Lord Krishna in curd, milk and water from the Ganga along with
ghee and honey before it is finally placed in a cradle at home. It is after
that sweet is prepared at home. The markets at this time are also doing brisk
business as people shop for flowers, sweets, decorative items, milk and curd
which they will be offering at the temples.
The youngsters during the celebrations of Janmashtami in India take part in the ritual of the matka phod. It is a ritual in which the breaking of earthenware pots which have been previously filled with buttermilk so as to celebrate Krishna’s love for butter and milk, which he is considered to have stolen from the overhanging pots by building human pyramids.
The youngsters during the celebrations of Janmashtami in India take part in the ritual of the matka phod. It is a ritual in which the breaking of earthenware pots which have been previously filled with buttermilk so as to celebrate Krishna’s love for butter and milk, which he is considered to have stolen from the overhanging pots by building human pyramids.
