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The Story Behind of Janmashtami

What:

Also known as Krishna Jayanti; a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu

When:

Since it follows the lunar calendar, it typically falls in Aug or Sept. In 2024, it’s on Aug 26

Who:

Primarily celebrated by Hindu communities globally, and especially prominent in Mathura and Vrindavan, places associated with Krishna’s birth

How:

Devotees often fast, keep a vigil until midnight, do a Dahi Handi, make a jhula (swing), and perform various pujas

Lord Krishna's Birth Story

Once upon a time, there lived a wicked king of Mathura named Kamsa (also spelled Kansa). A prophecy foretold that the 8th child born to his sister, Devaki, would one day kill him. To prevent this, Kamsa imprisoned Devaki and her husband, Vasudeva.

When Devaki gave birth to her eighth child, Krishna, a miracle occurred. A divine light illuminated the prison, and the walls disappeared. Lord Vishnu emerged and safely took the newborn Krishna away, leaving a bundle of straw in his place. Unaware of the switch, Kamsa struck the bundle with his mace, thinking it was the prophesied child.

Lord Vishnu instructed Vasudeva to take Krishna to a nearby town of Gokul. Off they went, in the middle of the night, through the pouring rain and across the Yamuna river. Once they arrived, his father took Krishna at his friend, Nanda and Yashoda’s house.

The couple had also just welcomed a newborn daughter. Without waking anyone up, Vasudeva switched the two babies. He placed Krishna in the baby girl’s cradle, and took the girl back to Mathura with him.

Krishna grew up in Gokul as a cowherd boy surrounded by his foster parents, gopi friends, and other villagers who fell in love with his magical powers and mischievous spirit.

How to Celebrate Janmashtami

In modern times, Janmashtami is celebrated in several ways, as per your devotion and regional traditions:

Dahi Handi - Teams of people form human pyramids to reach and break a pot filled with curd and buttermilk
Swing the Jhula - People create a swing for Krishna, decorate it, and worship him on i
Dress Up - Parents dress up their little kids adorned in signature accessories like a peacock feather crown and a flute

The Rhyming Version of Krishn'a Birth Story

Call me Krishna, Gopal. Kahniya or Govinda. My life is an open book but I'm an enigma. You may know me for a number of things. Like the beautiful color of my dark skin... or the famous war I helped my cousins win.

Trouble always seemed to follow me wherever I go, because my uncle Kamsa was not a friend, but a foe. Someone once told him that his eighth niece or nephew -- that's me -- will grow up one day to end him, so getting rid of me was key.

My father hid me in a basket to take me far away. It was raining hard but we still left on the night of my birthday. We began walking towards a small town named Gokul, where his friend Nanda lived, a man whose heart I would soon rule.

To reach there safely, we didn't need any trick or potion, but the river we were crossing had turned into an ocean. As we feared the worst, there magically appeared a nice fella named Vasuki, the ten-headed snake, who covered us like an umbrella.

When we reached Uncle Nanda's house, my father heaved a sigh of relief. His plan was working -- he would leave me there, while everyone lay asleep... Except for the newborn girl named Durga, who was waiting wide awake. He laid me down as he picked her up, and walked away with a heartbreak.

As my father brought Durga home, he knew this isn't where she belonged. 'Twas the moment my evil Uncle Kamsa had been waiting for all along. He was expecting a boy, but saw a girl. To him, it was all the same. Fear had stolen Uncle Kamsa's peace of mind and I was to blame.

He picked up her basket, and tried to throw it against the wall. But Durga didn't fall to the ground. Instead, she rose nice and tall. Uncle Kamsa realized his work wasn't done. I had escaped, so his imagination too, began to run. This was not the end. That's right. My adventures had just begun.

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