Janmashtami in twin cities of Mathura and Vrindavan

Janmashtami also known as Gokul Ashtmi, Sree Jayanti, Saatam Aatham or Ashtami Rohini is one of the most popular Indian festivals among Hindus. Janmashtami is a fusion of two words: Janma (birth) and Ashtami (eight). The month of August-September (Bhadrapad) in Hindu calendar on the eighth day of dark fortnight marks the birth of Sri Krishna-the eighth reincarnation of Lord Vishnu. Owing to his sharp-witted and cheerful nature, he became more of a friend and guide to most of his devotees unlike other Gods.

There was a prediction that Kansa, the ruler of Yadav province ‘Mathura’ would be killed by the eighth son born to his sister Devaki. To escape from this premonition, Kansa imprisoned his sister and her husband-Vasudeva and killed all the six children born to Devaki. Their seventh child Balram was handed to Rohini under cover. The night their eighth child Krishna was born, Vasudeva broke out from the prison and handed over the child to Nanda and Yashodha in Gokula.

Although Janamashtmi is celebrated in almost all parts of India but in Mathura and Vrindavan, it is celebrated with much more zeal and enthusiasm. Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and Vrindavan was the place where Lord Krishna performed ‘Rasleelas’ with Gopis.

All the temples are magnificently decorated. The grand celebration is held in Dwarkadhish temple where the ritual of giving holy bath to Krishna with milk and curd is performed. The voice of prayers and devotees chanting hymns echoes in the air.  Several pujas and religious ceremonies are also held all throughout the day. After prayer, Panchamrit (mixture of honey, gangajal, curd and ghee) and Prasad is distributed to the devotees. The devotes who have kept fast;  break their fast with this Prasad. ‘Jhulanotsava’, several natyas (dramas) and Rasleelas (dance performances)  are  also organized all over the city. Besides this, the act of breaking earthen pots is performed  depicting the memories of childhood of Krishna. The earthen pots are filled with curd and butter and hung up over the streets. The young men climb on each other’s shoulders, form pyramids and try to break the pots.

Sri Radha Raman Mandir

Varindavan- There are over 4000 temples of Vrindavan where all the ceremonies and rituals of Janamshtmi are held. A few of them are ISKCON temple, Ranganathji Temple and Radharaman Temple. 

Madhuban is an area in Vrindavan near the Yamuna River There is a temple in the middle of Madhuban forest which is considered to be the place where ‘Rasleelas’ were performed by Krishna with his Gopis and also a separate room is there where Radha and Krishna take rest after dancing. The people of Vrindavan believe that Krishna and Radha still appear every night and play Raasleela in a Madhuban forest. 

There also has been a Hindi song on this folklore:

“Madhuvan Main Jo Kanhaiya Kisi Gopi Se Mile
 Kabhi Muskaaye,  Kabhee Chhede, Kabhee Baat Kare
 Radha Kaise Na Jale, Radha Kaise Na Jale”

The ‘Madhuban forest’  is full of trees and monkeys. Those trees are connected to each other and are believed to be lord Krishna and Radha. People say that all trees become Gopis at night; and monkeys and all other insects disappear away. Till date, no one has ever witnessed the Raasleela of Radha-Krishna in this forest. It is believed that whosoever has even tried or entered the forest at dusk has met with fatal consequences. Some had gone mad, some never went back and some died also. Even those who had gone back were not in condition to describe what they had witnessed. Nobody knows whether it is supreme power or there is really the arrival of Radha-krishna at night.
During the day, the devotees come to worship the place. After 5 PM the temple is closed and after worshiping at 8 PM, the priest of the temple keeps brushes and water every night. In the morning, the items seem to have been used up!!

Even today, this festival is celebrated with great zeal and honor. All this is the result of devotion and faith in ‘Lord Krishna’. ‘His’ birthday is observed as a day of ‘good charm’.  The devotees regard ‘Him’ as the protector of brotherhood and savior of the whole world. 

The author Yann Martel has beautifully written the following lines in praise of Lord Krishna:

“I entered the church, without fear this time, for it was now my house too. I offered prayers to Christ, who is alive. Then I raced down the hill on the left and raced up the hill on the right—to offer thanks to Lord Krishna for having put Jesus of Nazareth, whose humanity I found so compelling, in my way."