Birth of Shri Krishna and the festival of Janmashtmi
Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated in the hindi month of Bhadrapada. This is celebrated as the festival of Janmashtmi all over the India. This festival has a great significance as it underlines the importance of Shri Krishna – the eighth incarnation of Shri Vishnu.
This religious festival is celebrated all over India in the month of August/September on the ashtami of Krishna Paksh or the eighth day in the month of Bhadon according to the Hindu calendar.
The wedding and Akashwani
Shri Krishna was born to Vasudev and Devaki. He is an incarnation of Vishnu. Devaki was the sister of Kansa. Kansa was a sinful ruler of mathura. During the wedding of Devki and Vasudev, there was an akashvani that eighth child of Devki will kill Kansa.
Akashvani of Kans death during Devaki Vasudev wedding
Hearing this, Kansa decided to wait for eighth son to be born and kill him so he would not be harmed. But someone advised him that as in a circular wheel, you do not know which spoke is numbered one and which is not, so you should kill all sons.
Kansa killed the first six children of Devki. Seventh was Lord Balrama, who was saved by divine forces and eighth was Shri Krishna.
Incidentally, Lord Balrama is an incarnation of Sheshnaag.
When Krishna was born in the prison, a chain of events happened, which surprised Vasudev. The gates of the cell flow open and all the guards fell asleep.
Note: According to historians, the prison cell, popularly known as ‘Garbha Griha’, in the temple premise is the exact place where lord Krishna was born.
This temple is known as Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi mandir The stone walled cell is reminiscent of the cruelty of King Kansa. Many statues and sculptures of the bygone era were found on excavating the site. The prison cell was gradually turned into the present beautiful temple. Lakhs of devotees throng the temple during Janmashtami. The festivities and celebrations during the festival is famous all over India. Celebrations begin during mid night with the birth of Bhagwan.
Vasudev took him to Gokul
He thought of Nand, his close friend in Gokul and decided to handover his child to him in order to save him from the clutch of Kansa.
On that fateful night, heavy rains which led to river Yamuna being in floods. As soon as the feet of Lord touched the river, the flow became normal and Yamuna give way for the Lord. Sheshnag, the serpent formed an umbrella to save the new born baby from rain.
He reached gokul. He kept his child next to fast asleep Yashoda and took the baby girl lying with him back to Mathura. The baby girl is believed to be the sister of Lord Vishnu.
Kansa tries to kill eighth child
After vasudev reached Mathura, Kansa was given the news of birth of the eighth child of Devki and Vasudev. Kansa rushed to the prison-cell and lifted the baby girl to kill her despite pleadings from Devki. But, instead of hitting the stone, the girl flew up in the air and announced that the annihilator of Kansa was born and in safe hands. She was Yog maya.
More stories about Lord Krishna
- Ashtabharya – Shri Krishna and his eight queens
- The Great Leelas and exploits of Lord Krishna
- An interesting incident happened after Mahabharata
- Lord Krishna stories
- Udupi connection to Mahabharata
- The Saint of Vrindavan: The Life and Legacy of Swami Haridas
- Rakshabandhan – Krishna and Draupadi story
- When Lord Krishna saved the earth
- Lord Krishna and Rukmini devi marriage
- Hindi Story -श्री कृष्ण – जांबवती – Krishna – Jambavati
- Story of Gandiva bow
- Shri Krishna brought back his six brothers for Devki
- Killing of Shakatasur by Lord Krishna
- Pootana salvation by Lord Krishna
- Birth of Lord Krishna
Recommended article: Pictures of Krishna’s exploits
wow
nice article and beautifully narrated with pictures.
Whenever evil power on earth increases incarnation of god take place