Lord Krishna is worshipped, revered and understood in different ways around the globe. His portrayals and celebrations vary greatly, based on the area and cultural background. Today, August 26 marks the celebration of Janmashtami this year. Krishna worship is the central focus of the festivities. This is achieved through praying, singing hymns, and dancing. In certain temples, there are unique presentations of Krishna Lila, a performance that depicts the life story of the Lord.
Janmashtmi celebrations in Vrindavan
It is believed that Vrindavan is the place where Lord Krishna spent a significant amount of his youth. It is not surprising that Kanha’s birthday is celebrated with immense enthusiasm in this sacred city. Several famous temples in the area, including the ISKCON temple, Rangnathji Temple, Banke Bihari Temple, and Radharaman Temple, conduct significant ceremonies during Janmashtami. It is believed that the Madhuban in Vrindavan is where Lord Krishna danced in Raas Leelas. Numerous traditional performances occur in Madhuban during Janmashtami, drawing tourists from across India and around the globe.
Celebrations in Maharashtra
The spectacle of Dahi Handi is a common sight in numerous popular film scenes and songs. In this procedure, a container of yogurt is suspended at a significant distance above the ground. A group of young boys, representing Lord Krishna, create a pyramid structure, with one individual climbing to the top to break the pitcher. They recite ‘Govinda, Govinda’ as they participate in the stunt.
Odisha and West Bengal
In East India, states such as Odisha and West Bengal observe Janmashtami by fasting and presenting various local sweets to Gopal or infant Krishna. The Bhagavata Purana is studied starting from the 10th chapter, which focuses on the life of Krishna. A prasad of over 400 items is presented to Lord Krishna as an elaborate meal or bhoga. On Janmashtami, Bengali families make a delicious sweet treat called Taler boda or sugar palm fritter.
Celebrations in Andhra Pradesh
During this festival in Andhra Pradesh, followers sing bhajans and chant shlokas as acts of devotion. Boys in the state dress as Lord Krishna to visit friends and neighbors during the festival. Lord Krishna is presented with a wide selection of fruits and desserts. In this place, it’s common for people to venerate paintings of Krishna rather than idols.
