Lord Krishna was an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Lord Sri Krishna was born on the 'Rohini' nakshatram (star) on a dark, stormy and windy night, Lord Krishna was the eighth birth of King Vasudev and Devki, who were prisoners in Kansa' skaal cotari (a house of ending life of a person). According to Hindu mythology, Krishna was born to end the rule and atrocities of his maternal uncle, Kansa who was the tyrant king of Mathura of Uttar Pradesh.
Janmashtami is called Krishna Janmashtami celebrated with great devotion on the eighth day of the dark fortnight in the month of Sravana (July-August) in India . Men and women keep fast and pray on the occasion of Janmashtami. Temples and homes are beautifully decorated and lit. The temples of Vrindavan, in Uttar Pradesh witness a spendthrift and colourful celebration on this occasion. 'Raslila' is performed to recreate incidents from the life of Krishna and to commemorate his love for Radha. This festival is also known as Gokulastami.
The Birth of Bhagban Sri Krishna at midnight is followed by performance of pooja and other ceremonies. Bhagban Sri Krishna is bathed with milk and curd and then rocked in the cradle. It is believed that any wish made while rocking the cradle is fulfilled on this day. The entire Mathura reverberates with the sound of the conch (shankh) and ringing of bells, and devotees pray and welcome the lord with slogans of 'Jai Shri Krishna'. After the prayers have been acted upon, Panchamrit, a mixture of honey, gangajal, curd, ghee is distributed. Bhagban (Lord) Krishna is fed with the customary prasad of 'Chhapan Bhog' (Fifty six dishes). Devotees break their fast with 'Prasad' of the Lord. A number of eatables made of milk and milk products are relished by the devotees. Kheer, Laddoo, Butter, Shrikhand and Singhare ki Poori are few of the major dishes prepared on the day.
To celebrate Sri Krishna's birth will be imperfect without Ghatas, another month-long unique feature, where all the temples or shrines of Mathura city are decorated with the identical colours in keeping with the theme selected. Even Lord Krishna is bedecked with the clothes of same colour. Devotees put their and hearts and soul in garnishing the temples and their abodes to welcome the birth of Bhagvan Krishna.
Every year on the occasion of Lord Sri Krishna's birth, near about eight lacks devotees visit Mathura during the Janmashtami. One finds it too difficult to accommodation during the festival days. For this reason, devotees get prior reservations made. All the temples of Mathura observer long queues and it becomes a quite task for the safekeeping to maintain law and order.
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