B.K. Singh
Happy Janmashtami to all our readers across the globe. While the majority of us know what is Janmashtami there could be a lot of people who do not have any idea about it.
Well, Janmashtami is celebrated in memory of Lord Krishna, a Hindu god who was born on this day.
Immediately after his birth, the charismatic boy’s mother realised there was something extraordinary in her little one.
Soon, she could sense, that the little boy was not an ordinary mortal, he was a divine soul in the body of a human being. The divinity in this playful child named Krishna grew intense with each passing day.
Girls in the neighborhood, the village, and everywhere would wait for Krishna to wake up. They were mesmerized. Krishna’s mother would reprimand the girls not to harass her son but they wouldn’t listen. They were so eager to touch him, to lift him in their laps and play with him.
Krishna had become a toy for them. On his part, Krishna loved to be surrounded by his friends and played with them.
As Krishna grew up his fan following particularly girls increased. He would go out with his friends called ‘gopis’ and dance, have joy, and fun. As a result, his mother would carry food for him in the fields and nearby jungle. Krishna loved milk and curd.
What left the Gopis spellbound and also his mother was even wild animals walking up to Krishna and behaving timidly.
Everybody was now sure that Krishna was god’s incarnation into a human being.
The life and times of Krishna would run into thousands of pages. In a way it is unending.
Janmashtami is celebrated not only at millions of temples and homes in India but by Krishna devotees spread all over the world.
They all rejoice on this occasion singing hymns and devotional songs in praise and loving memory of this Hindu god who persuaded Arjun to pick up his bow and arrow against his own greedy cousin brothers who were bent upon not sparing even an inch of land for Arjun and his four other brothers.
Janmashtami Celebrations at Banke Bihari Temple, Vrindavan :
The Banke Bihari temple in Vrindavan is one of the most revered and significant Krishna temples, dedicated to the young Krishna avatar of the divine. The temple is the center of grand Janmashtami celebrations every year, commemorating the birth of Lord Krishna.
The Janmashtami festivities at the Banke Bihari temple begin days in advance, with the temple premise being decorated elaborately with flowers, lights, and colorful hangings. Devotees throng the temple in large numbers, chanting hymns and devotional songs in praise of the divine Krishna.
On the day of Janmashtami, the temple remains open through the night for the auspicious moment of Krishna’s birth, which is believed to occur at midnight. Thousands of devotees wait patiently to catch a glimpse of the decorated deity and seek blessings. Special bhogs (food offerings) are prepared and offered to the deity, including the traditional ‘Panchaamrit’ (a mix of five auspicious liquids – milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar).
The festivities continue for days after Janmashtami, with devotees engaging in various cultural programs, dance performances, and reading of the Bhagavata Purana. The temple premises echo with the sounds of devotional music, chants, and the joyous celebration of Krishna’s advent.
History of Nidhivan, Vrindavan :
Adjacent to the Banke Bihari temple, the Nidhivan area holds immense historical and spiritual significance in Vrindavan. According to Hindu mythology, Nidhivan is believed to be the sacred spot where Krishna and Radha would engage in their divine love play.
The name ‘Nidhivan’ literally translates to the ‘forest of treasure’, referring to the belief that Krishna and Radha’s divine love is the greatest treasure hidden within this sacred grove. It is said that the divine couple’s footprints can still be seen on the ground of Nidhivan, and the trees and creepers in this area are believed to be direct witnesses to their eternal love.
Nidhivan is considered one of the most secluded and restricted parts of Vrindavan, accessible only to the most devoted Krishna bhaktas (devotees). Entry into Nidhivan is restricted during the day, and it is believed that the divine couple’s divine play continues here even in the present day, unseen by mortal eyes.
The Nidhivan area is also closely associated with the legend of the Rasa Lila, the divine dance performed by Krishna with the Gopis (cowherd women) of Vrindavan. This sacred grove is seen as the eternal abode of Krishna and Radha, where their divine love is celebrated and revered by devotees.
The Janmashtami festivities at the Banke Bihari temple and the mystical aura of the Nidhivan area are integral to the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Vrindavan, the eternal abode of Lord Krishna.
