New Delhi: The birth of Lord Krishna was rung in with religious fervour and gaiety across the country on Monday as devotees thronged temples, while in Maharashtra 'dahi handi' celebrations on the occasion saw enthusiastic participation by youngsters. In Mathura, which according to mythology, is the birthplace of Lord Krishna, lakhs of pilgrims paid obeisance at major temples amid tight security. According to the secretary of Sri Krishna Janmasthan, Kapil Sharma, nearly 20 lakh pilgrims paid obeisance at temples in Mathura, Vrindaban, Barsana, Govardhan, Nandgaon, Baldeo, Mahaban and Gokul. Vrindaban was the centre of attraction for pilgrims in the noon, where the festival was celebrated in three major temples -- Radha Raman temple, Radha Damodar temple and Shah Ji temple. In Maharashtra, 'dahi handi' ritual is part of Janmashtami festival, where youngsters (called Govindas), dressed in colourful attire, make human pyramid to reach an earthen pot containing buttermilk suspended mid-air, and try to break it. Religious institutions, political leaders and Govinda mandals took part in the 'dahi handi' celebrations which were marked by frequent chants of "Govinda aala re" (Govinda has come). Several organisers roped in celebrities to pull crowd to their 'dahi handi' events. The celebrations were held amid strict vigil by the Mumbai police who were out on roads to ensure compliance to the Bombay High Court's order on the age of participating Govindas (they should not be below 14), insurance for them, and the height of the human pyramid. The Disaster Management Cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) remained alert to deal with any eventuality, while hospitals were asked to keep medical staff on standby. In the past, several Govindas were injured after falling off human pyramids. President Ramnath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to extend their greetings to the nation on the occasion. "Greetings and good wishes to fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami. The teachings of Lord Krishna have a universal message - Nishkam Karma. May this festival inspire us to follow the path of virtue and righteousness in thought, word and deed #PresidentKovind," a tweet by the president read. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan also wished people on the occasion through Twitter posts. In rain-soaked Delhi, thousands of devotees thronged temples to offer prayers to Lord Krishna. Famous Krishna temples in the national capital -- Laxmi Narayan Mandir, ISKCON temple, Amar Colony, Krishna Pranami Mandir, Hare Krishna Mandir among others -- were specially decorated for the festival. Colourful tableaux depicting the story of Lord Krishna's birth were put on exhibition. In several residential complexes, cultural groups displayed special 'Jhankis' of Lord Krishna. In Rajasthan, people thronged famous temples like Govind Devji temple in Jaipur among others since early morning. Elaborate arrangements for security and crowd management were made at the Govind Devji temple which is the centre of attraction among the devotees, police said.<doc-sep>The temple would remain open for nearly two hours past midnight (File) Braving heavy rainfall, lakhs of devotees have reached the temple town of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh for Janmashtami celebrations. They will gather around Vrindavan or in Govardhan and Barsana for the celebration. At Radha Raman temple, Radha Damodar temple and Shah Ji Temple Janmashtami would be celebrated during the day. In the evening, the main programme would be organised at Bhagwat Bhavan at Srikrishna Janmasthan, said Kapil Sharma, secretary, Srikrishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan. The temple would remain open for nearly two hours past midnight to facilitate pilgrims, he added. SSP Babloo Kumar said security has been tightened and police personnel in plain clothes have been deployed at major temples. Gopeshwar Nath Chaturvedi, trustee of the Sansthan, advised pilgrims to avoid carrying camera, mobile phones and other gadgets.<doc-sep>Sep 03, 2018, 06:53PM IST Source: TNN Janmashtami is being celebrated at Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Uttar Pradesh’s Mathura. On the occasion of Janmashtami, the temple, which is known for being Lord Krishna’s place of manifestation, was decorated with flowers. Devotees thronged the temple and joined the ongoing prayers and celebrations. Special events are organised in Mathura and Vrindavan on the festical. Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu festival which marks the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna and is celebrated all across the world on the eighth day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Shraavan.<doc-sep>Banke Bihari Temple, Uttar Pradesh A post shared by Govind Gaudham (@govind_gaudham) on Aug 20, 2018 at 9:41am PDT The Banke Bihari Temple, located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, is the most revered temple of Lord Krishna. The beautiful Black Idol of Lord Krishna adorns the temple and charms the Krishna followers from different corners of the world. The Banke Bihari Temple was founded by Swami Haridas (guru of Navratna Tansen) and it is believed that one day while singing the praises of Lord Krishna in the Nidhivan, Sri Krishna along with Radhe in the form of Shyama-Shyam appeared and left behind the merged portrayal of Radha-Krishna in the form of the Shyama Moorat. If you’re wondering what verses by Swami Haridas compelled Shyama-Shyam and brought them to Nidhivan, read here, “Mai ri sahaj jori pragat bhai ju rang ki gaur syam ghan damini jaisen. Pratham hun ahuti ab hun aagen hun rahihai na tarihai taisain.. Ang ang ki ujraii sugharaii chaturaii sunderta aisain.. Shri Haridas ke swami syama kunjbihari sam vais vaisain…” Shree Jagannath Temple, Odisha #photojhk #ranchirailwaystation #jagannathtemplepuri#pandal2017 A post shared by Ameet Kumar (@ameet.kumar.148116) on Oct 1, 2017 at 6:43am PDT Shree Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha is a part of the Char Dham pilgrimage. It is believed that Chaitanya Mahaprabhu – a reincarnation of Lord Krishna where he’s depicted the form of a follower, spreading the message of love and humanity by chanting Hare Krishna – stayed at Shree Jagannath, Puri for 24 years. ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir, Uttar Pradesh A post shared by iskcon vrindavan (@iskcon_vrindavan) on Aug 22, 2018 at 10:14pm PDT Krishna Balaram Mandir in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh is one of the major ISKCON temples in the world. Although in Vrindavan, every nook and cranny is filled with love for Lord Krishna, but a visit to Krishna Balaram Mandir cannot be missed. At the entrance of the temple, lies the mausoleum of Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada – founder of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). There are many other ISKCON temples that carry the Lord in their aura, which make them a must visit. Dwarkadish Temple, Gujarat One of the Char Dham, the Dwarkadish Temple is located in Dwaraka in the state of Gujarat. As per the archaeological findings, the site is 2200-2000 years old and is believed to have been built by Lord Krishna’s grandson Vajranabha. KhatuShyam ji, Rajasthan Khatu Shyam Temple in Sikar, Rajasthan is dedicated to Barbarik, the grandson of Bhima and Hidimba, son of Ghatotkach and Maurvi. As per Skandpuran, Barbarik’s head was drowned in river Rupawati by Lord Krishna himself, after Mahabharata. The Lord had announced that Barbarik will come to be known by the name of Shyam himself in Kalyug and hence Barbarik’s head emerged in Kalyug, the Khatu-Shyam ji temple was built and it became one of the most revered temples of Hindus in the region. Rajagopalaswamy Temple, Tamil Nadu Rajagopalaswamy Temple or Dakshina Dwarka as it popularly called is located at Mannargudi in Tamil Nadu. The temple complex is beautifully built over a space of 23 acres. Sri Krishna Matha, Karnataka Located in Udupi, Karnataka, the Sri Krishna Matha is a marvel of ornate structures dedicated to Lord Krishna. The temple was built in 13th Century and is managed by the Astha Mutts. Sri Sri Radha Madhan Mohan Mandir, Vrindavan Built with terra cotta exterior, the Sri Sri Radha Madhan Mohan Mandir in Vrindavan is considered to be the first temple built at Vrindavan. The temple sits atop a 50 foot hill known as the Dvadasaditya Tila and shows beautiful view of the Yamuna river. Balakrishna Temple, Karnataka The Balakrishna Temple in Hampi, Karnataka is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its exquisite carvings. As the name suggests, the Balakrishna Temple, Hampi reveres Lord Krishna in his infant form. Shri Nathji Temple, Rajasthan The divine name Shri Nathji refers to seven-year-old Lord Krishna, and the Shri Nathji Temple in Nathdwara, Rajasthan, depicts the Lord with lifted Govardhan Hill. Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, Kerala #templeinkerala #elephantlove #aanyuttu #guruvayursrikrishnatemple A post shared by Bipi Bipichan (@bipibipichan) on Jul 20, 2018 at 11:46am PDT The Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple located at Guruvayur in Kerala worships Lord Vishnu in the form of his Krishna avatar. Lord Krishna is worshipped in his Bal roop here. The temple complex is also house to 56 Asian elephants.<doc-sep>
Happy Janmashtami 2018: Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on September 2 and 3 both. Krishna Janmashtami 2018, also called Janmashtami and Gokulashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. This year, Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated on September 2 and September 3. But most people are celebrating it on September 3, Monday. Since Lord Krishna is believed to be the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, his birthday is celebrated with great pomp and show across India.Women also draw tiny foot prints outside their house doors and kitchen, walking towards their house, a symbolism for Krishna's journey into their homes. While Janmashtami is celebrated across India and many parts of the world, it is considered the largest festival in the Braj region of north India - in Mathura - where he was born, and in Vrindavan where he is believed to have grown up. Temples are decorated and special programmes are organised in Mathura and Vrindavan to celebrate Lord Krishna's birth. Devotees come from far and wide to visit the holy temples of Vrindavan and Mathura. The temples also organise recitation of holy books Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita. The Krishna temples are specially decorated and cultural programmes, bhajan, kirtan, satsang meetings are organised in these temples on Janmashtami. Happy Janmashtami 2018: Devotees come from far and wide to visit the holy temples of Vrindavan and Mathura. It is considered the largest festival in the Braj region of north India. Lord Krishna is believed to have played in the iconic Krishna-Balram temple, also called the ISKON temple in Vrindavan. In Pagal Baba Ka Mandir, another famous temple in Vrindavan, Lord Krishna is believed to have performed "Raas-lila" with the gopis. Banke Bihari temple, Radha Raman mandir, Radhavallabh mandir, Barsana temples of Vrindavan are specially decorated on this day. Other temples of special significance are Krishna Janmabhoomi, Dwarkadheesh temple in Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna was born in an era of chaos, when evil was everywhere. There was also threat to his life by his uncle King Kansa. After Krishna's birth in Mathura, his father Vasudeva took him across Yamuna to Nanda and Yashoda - his foster parents in Gokul. This legend is remembered and also enacted through stage plays on Janmashtami.