Krishna Janmashtami 2017

The Kingdom of Mathura was under deep peril and misery under the rule of King Kansa. The merciless king had a sister known as Princess Devaki, whom he loved dearly. He married his little sister to Vasudeva with much splendor and magnificence, when suddenly the cloud roared with a prophecy that the eight son of Devaki and Vasudev would be the cause of his death. The merciless king took over the loving brother and he immediately threw Devaki and Vasudev into the prison or 'Karaghar'.

The cruel king went on to kill all the six children that Devaki had borne in all those years. However, the seventh child who was informed to be miscarried was mystically transferred to the womb of Princess Rohini in Vrindavan who grew up to become Balram, the elder brother of Lord Krishna. During the birth of Lord Krishna, Vasudev was guided by the Gods and carried the baby to Vrindavan to the house of Nanda and Yasoda. It was a night of frightening thunderstorm and heavy downpour. But Vasudev kept walking with Krishna atop of his head in a basket, braving the storm and the choppy river.

To protect Krishna, Shesh Nag (the Snake God) also quietly rose from behind to cover his lord from the rains, as Vasudeva made his way. When he reached Nanda's place, Vasudeva kept his son and returned with their girl child born on the same day to present her to King Kansa in the hope that he wouldn't harm her because the prophecy had said that the eight 'son' would be the one to kill him. But the merciless Kansa held the child and tried to throw her against a rock when she rose to the air taking the form of Goddess Durga, warning him about his death. And sure enough, years later, Krishna took the life of Kansa and Mathura was reinstated as a happy kingdom once again.

It is said that Lord Krishna was born at midnight on the 'eighth day' or the 'Ashtami' of the holy month, Shravana, according to the Hindu Lunar calendar The legend behind Lord Krishna's birth, and his triumph over enemies, makes for one of Hindu folklore's most loved tales, and is recited amongst the devotees with much fervor on Janmashtami. On the pious occasion devotees throng temples to offer their prayers and bhog to their beloved deity. There is also a common practice followed in most Indian household, of bathing 'Nand Gopal' (baby Krishna) with milk, honey and water, and dress him up in new clothes. Devotees also observe the ritualistic fasts on the holy occasion.

This year 2017,Janmashtami would be celebrated on 14th August, Monday. poojya Sri Gurudeva Hanumathdas and Sri Matha Annapoorneswari conducted this Janmashtami event in the presence of Sri Paripoornanada swamiji, Erpedu vyasasramam peethadhipathi who is in Chaturmasya vrata.108 varieties of prasadams were offered to lord Krishna as Naivedyam and distributed to all the devotees.