Holidays & Observances: Krishna Janmashtami

For all the posts in this Holidays & Observances series, go here.

Prologue: I have been meaning to write a series about Holidays and Observances that we (my family and friends) follow in both India (my birth country) and USA (my adopted country). This series is dedicated to those. On a side note, perhaps I might witness some of the celebrations from other countries as well that may get their way into this series. 🙂

The day of Sept 6th this year (2023) celebrated the birth of Lord Krishna, known as Krishna Janmashtami. It’s a festival deep spiritual renewal and celebration that effectively finishes an old year and begins a fresh one for many. It’s the personality of Lord Krishna that is also celebrated – his mischievous antics, his romantic nature, his compassion as a friend and a brother.

The festivities include Kirtan (= songs in praise of Lord Krishna), festivities at the temple, eating scrumptious food, participate in matkha phod (= a colorful and decked pot is tied up closer to the roof, and men form pyramids to climb a top and  break the pot), and finally the midnight aarati in honor of the birth of Lord Krishna.

We celebrated with a small pooja (= worship ritual) at home. I did this Rangoli in front of my home with small steps representing that Lord Krishna is stepping into my home as a small child.

Then in the evening we went to the local temple and took part in the festivities. Here is the decorated jhoola (= swing) with little Lord Krishna enjoying the attention from all devotees.