What is Krishna Janmaashtami?The festivel of Krishna Janmaashtami (also known as Krishnaashtami, Gokulaashtami, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanthi or Janmaashtami) celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar (incarnation) of Vishnu.
The festival starts by fasting on the previous day (Saptami), followed by a night-long celebration of the birth of Krishna, and his removal by his father to a foster-home for safe-keeping. At midnight, the idol of the infant Krishna is bathed and placed in a cradle. In the early morning, ladies draw little children feet patterns outside the house with rice-flour paste to symbolize the entry of the infant Krishna into his foster-home.
After ablutions, morning prayers and worship, the devout break their fast with Prasadam, food that has first been offered to the lord. |
