Janmashtami commemorates the earthly appearance of Sri Krishna, who is described in India’s sacred writings as God Himself. One of the biggest religious festivals in the world, it is celebrated by nine hundred and thirty million people around the world-and two million in the US alone. To devotees, it is a day of deep spiritual renewal and celebration that effectively finishes an old year and begins a fresh one.
Why Janmashtami, what’s so special about Krishna, as opposed to any other form of God? It’s His personable-ness. He reciprocates in unique, personal ways with every devotee who offers Him love-He is the most adorable, the most romantic lover, the most compassionate friend. And on Janmashtami, devotees celebrate Krishna in all of these aspects. For just as Krishna reciprocates individually with His relatives and confidantes, he responds to the distinct feelings and desires held most deeply in the heart of every single worshipper.
So in whatever way one worships Krishna on Janmashtami, He will reciprocate with the devotee accordingly. It’s a meditation that makes for an extremely rewarding devotional experience.
Where Vaishnava temples exist, festivities begin before dawn and extend all day until midnight, the exact moment of the anniversary of Krishna’s appearance. Events include kirtan singing the Lord’s name along with other devotees; and jopo, private, more intimate prayer. Some devotees cook a feast of over one hundred dishes, while others perform drama and dance. Some clothe and decorate the deity of Krishna while others string enormous flower garlands and other decorations for the temple. Incense burns, scriptures are read, and all but the young and the infirm fast all day. The deities are also bathed with a variety of auspicious liquids in a kind of ablution ceremony called abhisheka. Sometimes taking over two hours, this is performed with great pomp. Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored altar. The excitement builds, and a rousing kirtan ensues.
But what if the devotee does not live near a temple? What if he/she can’t make it to a major celebration? Does that mean he/she can’t observe Janmashtami? Of course not. It is our sincere devotion that pleases Krishna most, and this can be offered anywhere. So to help the devotee feel more connected to the Lord and His devotees on this special day, here are some tips on how to celebrate Janmashtami at home:
The devotee should invite all friends and family to participate in the festivities.
Decorating devotee’s home for Krishna can be a fun, particularly for children. Encouraging them in helping him/her to make garlands, hanging balloons and festoons of leaves, and generally making the house beautiful for Krishna’s appearance are religions responsibility.
The Vaishnava Songbook may help choose some of the favorite bhojons (devotional songs in praise of God) to sing. Krishna, also known as ‘Murlidhara,’ or “one who holds the flute,” loves music. And so will the devotee’s friends and family, as one takes turns singing and playing instruments. Alternatively, play bhojon CDs and heighten the spiritual atmosphere.
The devotee can also chant extra rounds of the Hare Krishna mentor on one (prayer beads). This is an intimate one, one can exchange with Krishna, and makes one feel much closer to the Lord.
Midnight arati (worship ceremony) with a kirtan. is very impendent. This is the exact time that Sri Krishna appeared on this planet. So it is most auspicious and spiritually inspiring. If the devotee has arati paraphernalia, then he/she can do a full offering. If not, not to be worried -Krishna says in the Bhagavad-Gita, “If you offer Me with love a leaf, flower, fruit or water, I will accept it.” So offer whatever you can-it’s your love and devotion that matters.
The devotee may buy a special gift for the Lord. He/she can wrap it and write a card to Krishna. Here are some gift ideas:
If the devotee has deities he she can buy or make jewelry, new clothes, garlands, peacock feathers, turban pieces, flutes or water cups. If the devotee is able to fast from food, fasting until midnight is recommended. If fasting is too difficult, then he/she may try to eat only light foods during the day. By putting our own needs aside and concentrating more on Krishna’s, we show our love for Him.
The devotee can engage children in many of the above activities. Depending on the children’s ages, they can help cook, make garlands, design a birthday card, play musical instruments, dance and chant Hare Krishna. There are many children’s books about Krishna.
Children also enjoy dressing up as Radha, Krishna and their associates, and re-enacting Krishna’s pastimes. This helps to create a very festive mood. Finally, at midnight, priests pull apart the curtains to reveal the freshly dressed deity of Krishna on a creatively festooned and colored altar. The excitement builds, and a rousing kirtan ensues.
Read the story of Krishna’s advent and other exciting pastimes from Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead or Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto Ten. Pass the book around, and try dramatic readings to bring the story to life. Janmashtami is all about completely immersing yourself in thoughts of Krishna in a festive way.
If the devotee has Radha-Krishna deities he /she should get extra special new outfits for Them. He /she should exercise creativity and pay special attention to decorating Their Altar.
Recreate the temple program and hold an abhisheka bathing ceremony for the deities, different liquids like yogurt, honey, ghee and fruit juices may be bought and bathe the deity with them while singing devotional songs.
Temples prepare at least one hundred and eight different food dishes on Janmashtami. Of course, the devotee does not have to go that far, unless he/she is feeling particularly energetic! But it’s always nice to cook some very special preparations to offer to the Lord. Imagine that Krishna was actually right there, in the devotee’s house-what would you offer Him? This makes for a wonderful meditation while cooking on Janmashtami.
In celebrating Janmashtami, we should remember that just as we enjoy the attention and fun on our birthday, so the Lord also enjoys our attention and gifts on His appearance day. The difference between us and Krishna is that He is able to reciprocate perfectly with each one of us. In the transcendental realm, everything that we offer to the Lord with love and devotion will benefit us unlimitedly, and those benefits will stay with us for eternity.
-Krishna.com
