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Krishna Janmaasthamee
Sri Krishna Janmastami marks the celebration of the birth of
Bhagavan Sri Krishna. This festival is also known as Krishna Jayanti or
Janmashtami. Lord Krishna is regarded as the 8th avatar or
'incarnation' of Vishnu. The life of Sri Krishna is the most stirring
saga of one of the greatest saviors and propounders of 'Dharma'. His
life is filled with numerous dangers over which he ultimately gained
victory. The stories of how he killed, one after the other, all the
demonic adversaries- Pootana, Shakata, Agha, Dhenuka, Bakaa, Keshi,
Kansa, Shishupala, Jarasandha etc. - has made him the peerless savior
of mankind. Krishna's Birth
Mathura was the
capital of a kingdom in North India. Ugrasen was the king of Mathura.
He had a son, Kansa and a daughter, Devki. During the lavish wedding of
Devki to Vasudev, Kansa heard a celestial voice announce,' O Kansa, Thy
death is written at the hand of the eighth son born to this union.'
Through the ensuing years the demon king put to death six children born
to Devki in the dungeons of the Palace. On the day that Sri Krishna was
born it was raining and dark. At midnight a bright light appeared in
the room of Devki. Then the child was born. Vasudev, terrified for the
bay's safety, carried it in a basket through the opened gates of the
dungeon. On account of the heavy rain the river Yamuna was swollen. But
as he stepped out of the prison the rain stopped and the dim light of
the moon showed the way. A huge snake taking the shape of an umbrella
protected the child. As he reached the river the waters were divided
leaving a dry path for Vasudev to cross. Vasudev went to the home of
his friend Nanda. He exchanged the baby boy with a baby girl and went
back. The following day, when Kansa tried to kill the baby girl she
slipped from his hands and the image of Devi appeared. She spoke to
Kansa,''The one who is destined to kill you has already taken birth
elsewhere.' Sri Krishna flourished under Nanda's and Yashodha's care
and later on slew the wicked Kansa. Krishna Mandir
On
Krishna Janmashtami numerous devotees flock to the ancient Krishna
temple in old Patan Durbar Square to keep vigil through the glorious
night of his birth. As they sit huddled together their bodies rocking
in humble obeisance, the women chant the many names of the
Lord,'Narayan, Narayan' and Gopal, Gopal'. Some sing ancient hymns,
others clap their hands, while some pray. Crowds of men and women edge
their way slowly up narrow steps through the seated devotees to the
temple's dark interior to where the main idol stands. There they offer
flowers, coins and food and wait for a glimpse of Krishna Janmastami
festival at Krishna Mandir the idol. After the temple priest gives them
'prasad' they make their way down to join the multitude of devotees in
the streets.
Article by Vani Shah
Photographs collected from Deependra Bajracharya and Madhup Mangal.
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