Janmashtami celebrations in Canada
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| Events & Community Members in news |
| From Mississauga, Canada, August 24, 2008 |
| Janmashtami celebrations at Shri Ram Mandir, Mississauga by Kanayalal Raina |
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| Krishna Janmashtami, also known as Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Srikrishna Jayanti or Sree Jayanthi, is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu. Depending on planetary movements, the festival may be celebrated on different (but successive) days by different people, owing to their local or family traditions. The pious begin the festival by fasting the previous day (Saptami, seventh day). This is followed by a night-long vigil commemorating the birth of Krishna at night. At midnight, the deity of the infant Krishna is bathed, placed in a cradle and worshipped. After ablutions, and prayers and worship, the devout break their fast with Prasadam, food that has first been offered to God. Sweets made of milk and other dairy products, especially butter, are traditionally prepared on this occasion. As per custom the Hindu festival of Janmashtimi, the birthday of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna, was celebrated by thousands of devotees who visited on Saturday 23rd August 2008 at Shri Ram Mandir through out the day. Thousands thronged the temple during the day long celebrations. Over 500 devotees were present at the mid night to witness the arrival of Lord Krishna. Janmashtimi is one of the most auspicious festivals of all Hindus, “the birth-day of our Poorna Avtar Bhagwan Krishna”. People celebrate this day by decorating their homes and temples. A special 24 hour fast is kept which is broken at mid-night. People make special sweets and food. They have religious and social gatherings where pooja (worship) is offered to Lord Krishna. At midnight, a baby as Krishna was bathed, decorated and dressed with beautiful clothes and then placed in a basket. Baby Krishna was then carried in a procession to the temple amongst the chanting of Om Namu Bhagwate. Baby Lord krishna was then put in a cradle and worshipped by all the devotees present. This festival is celebrated by all Hindus with devotional songs marking the celebration. May this day and onwards bring all of us greatest joy and prosperity and give us the energy and spiritual wisdom to serve our mankind and humanity, said Pandit Roopnauth Sharma Ji. Earlier Pandit Ji recited various chapters but in particular chapter 12 of Bhagawat Geeta and explained the main message of Lord Krishna in verse 13-14. “He who is free from malice towards all beings, friendly and compassionate, rid of “I” and “mine”, balanced in joy and sorrow, forgiving by nature, ever-contended and mentally united with Me, ny, who has subdued his mind, senses and body, has a firm resolve, and has surrendered his mind and reason to Me- that devotee of Mine is dear to Me.” |
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