Anupama Nair
The actual celebration of Krishna Janmashtami mostly takes place during midnight because it is believed that Lord Krishna was born on a dark, stormy and windy night to end the rule of his maternal uncle Kansa. It is celebrated across the world by singing devotional songs, keeping a fast the whole day, and several temples are decorated beautifully devoted to the journey of Krishna’s life. The Janmashtami celebration at Mathura and Vrindavan is considered very special as he had spent most of his life there. The idol of Krishna is bathed in water and milk and then he is dressed in new clothes and later worshipped. Sweets are offered to God as naivedhya and then distributed as Prasada.
People hang pots of butter and milk in the streets on the poles, and men form pyramids reach and break the pots. This is called Dahi Handi. We remember the childhood days of the Lord, when he used to play with the cowherds and stole curd hung out of reach by their mothers. People sing and dance in groups to show their devotion.
But come circa Twenty-Twenty a “mere” virus – Corona, held the world in its grasp, and the result for the first time in thousands of years, we could not celebrate Janmashtami or any other festival. Even in 2021, it still does not seem to free the world from its grasp and it is a certainty, we will celebrate Janmashtami like last year.
I am now, for your benefit writing about the Shubha Muhurat for Janmashtami. The Ashtami Tithi will begin at 11:25 PM on August 29 and end at 1:59 AM on August 31. Krishna was born at midnight during Nishita Kaal, so this year’s pooja timings are between 11:59 pm on August 30 to 12:44 AM on August 31. Rohini Nakshatra also holds great significance in our celebrations. This year it will begin at 6:39 AM on August 30 and end at 9:44 AM on August 31.
Due to the Lord’s grace and will, I was lucky enough to see all the cities associated with the Lord – Mathura, Vrindavan and Dwaraka. Dear Lord Krishna, please slay the demon of Corona from this world. Wish everyone, a happy Janmashtami.
(Dedicated to Lord Krishna for inspiring me to write this story, Late Uncle Pai for Amar Chitra Katha and the late B.R Chopra for the serial Mahabharat).
Happy Janmashtami.