Hindus Gearing Up For The Big Feast- Krishna Janmashtami

Kudla Hindus Gearing Up For The Big Feast- Krishna Janmashtami

Mangaluru: You may think that Janmashtami is celebrated only in India as this was the birthplace of Lord Krishna. But actually no. Janmashtami or Gokulashtami is celebrated in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Fiji, USA, Caribbean Islands, etc. For rest parts of the world, a lot of credit goes to International Society for Krishna Consciousness, popularly known as ISKCON. And also the fact that most of the Hindus in all these countries originates from Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh and are the progenies of obligated immigrants or colonizers from Tamil Nadu, UP, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha lead to spread of Janmashtami worldwide.

Till now, it is speculated that Janmashtami of 2017 will fall on 14th August but as per ISKCON calendar, the Janmashtami is 15th August 2017 because they are purists who would consider the birth moment of Lord Krishna as the Janmashtami or Gokulashtami. And that would fall at midnight hours of 14th August 2017. Anyways, it’s once again that time of the year, when Hindus get in the mood and spirit to celebrate Sri Krishna Janmashtami with grandeur and fervour. Preparations for Krishna Janmashtami, which is on 14/15 August the birthday of Lord Krishna, have reached a crescendo in the whole of Mangaluru City and surrounding areas, with temples all decked up and devotees thronging the area for a glimpse of the deities. As per sources, Lord Krishna is supposed to be the Eighth, of Lord Vishnu’s 10 avatars. According to mythology, Krishna was supposed to have born the Eighth son to Vasudeva and Devaki in the Shraavana month, on the Eighth day succeeding Full Moon day, when the star Rohini was shining in the sky.

In Mahabharatha, Krishna took a major role in preaching Arjuna at the battle front, the meaning of Karma or Duty, popularly known as ‘Bhagavadgita’. Krishna is also known as the Lord who was heart throb of hundreds of Gopikas, or Milk Maids in the Dwapara Yuga! He was born in Yadukula, popularly known as ‘Yadavas’ in present times. Yet, Brahmins worship him as one of the most powerful Gods in Hindu Mythology. Let’s keep aside mythology and understand the significance of Krishna Janmashtami, the day on which Lord Krishna is worshipped with poojas, offerings, singing and dancing. This festival occurs almost after eight days, succeeding ‘Rigupakarma’, or ‘Sacred Thread’ ceremony among the GSB Hindus.

On that day, devotees clean the house, have a head bath, and follow a strict diet that contains grains and pulses like Wheat, Green Gram, Bengal Gram, Beaten Rice and Curds. They cook rice, Bengal Gram dish and other accompaniments including two kinds of Panchakajjaaya and jaggery laddus with Sesame seeds and puffed rice powder as ‘Naivedya’, or offering to the Lord. A colocasia leaf dish with fresh ginger and green chillies, popularly known as ‘Alvathi’ is essentially made. ‘Moong dal usli’ or Split Green Gram snack is a must! Some house holds prepare ‘Brahmi’ chutney too. Various fruits are also offered. In the evening, Krishna’s idol or picture is decorated with flowers, especially ‘Kedage’ ‘Taavare’ ‘Jasmine’ and also ‘Tulsi’ leaves.

‘Ashtottaras'(108 Salutes) and ‘Sahasranamas'(1008 names) are chanted while performing the pooja, and ‘Arghya’ or milk bath is given through ‘Kedage’ leaves, while describing various moods of Krishna as he is depicted in Mythology! Saligrama, a fossil form believed to be containing the soul of Krishna, is also worshipped along with the idol. All the male members wearing ‘Janivara’ or holy thread perform the pooja.

After the pooja, ‘Aarati’ (Flame) is shown to the Krishna idol and all the family members salute the lord, touch the flame and accept the ‘Prasadam’ and ‘Panchamrita’, a combination of Cow’s milk, curd, ghee, sugar and honey and sometimes with tender coconut water as additive. The food items offered to Lord Krishna are consumed by all the family members along with the priest as ‘Prasadam’. Sweet dishes are distributed among the friends as a gesture of togetherness! The next day, Lord Krishna’s idol is displaced in a ritual called as ‘Visarjana’ and is reinstated in its original place.

‘Mosaru Kudike’ or ‘Vittala Pindi’ is celebrated by most of the Hindus on that day, signifying Lord Krishna stealing butter from the pot (Kudike). Thousands of people move in a procession with Lord Krishna idol, dance in the streets, chanting ragas, forming human pyramids, smashing the overhead hung earthen pots and winning prizes for their efforts. Different ‘veshas’ like the ever popular tiger dance and many others add colour to the procession!

Krishna Janmashtami has become global these days, with ISKCON actively indulging in the Feast in major cities around the world, and also in Mangaluru. Many associations are also organizing “Mosaru Kudike” all around the city. Street vendors and shop dealers are making a brisk business selling flowers, vegetables, sweets and other items necessary for the big feast. City Central Market and around that area, and also in Car street is crowded with people buying the required stuff needed for the festival. Children dressed like Lord Krishna are seen taking part in the contest in many parts of the city.There has been good demand for kedige (screw pine) leaf moulds in the city to make cylindrical idlis or ‘moode’ especially for the festival. Flower merchants were selling chrysanthemums in yellow, white, pink at a rate of around Rs. 50-75 per one ‘maaru’. There has also been high demand for earthen pots for the mosaru kudike.

Team Mangalorean wishes our Hindu community a Happy Sri Krishna Janamashtami!