Janmashtami

Janmashtami marks the celebration of 8th human incarnation of Lord Vishnu Birthday. Lord Krishna is considered to be the most powerful incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The sole objective of Lord Krishna's birth was to free the earth from evilness of demons.

History of Janmashtami

JANMASHTAMI is also known as Krishna Janmashtami is the birthday of Lord Krishna which is celebrated with great fervor and zeal in India during the monsoon month. The history of Janmashtami is around 5 thousand years ago. It is very hard to establish the authenticity of the story and its inception is historically based on sacred sculptures.

Around 5 thousand years ago, there was a ruler named Kamsa who ruled in Mathura ( a modern-day city in the state of Uttar Pradesh). He was considered to be a very harsh King who ruled over people in a very dictatorial way. He even killed his father Ugrasena to gain access to the royal throne.

The one person Kamsa loved was his sister Devaki and he wanted her to get married to a decent man. King Vasudeva of the Yadu dynasty won Devika's hand and Kamsa agreed to this marriage. As soon as the marriage ceremony was about to get completed, the great sage Narada told Kamsa that he would die by the hands of Devaki 8th child. This made Kamsa very furious and angry. To protect himself, he proceeded to kill his own Cousin Devika. To protect Devika, her husband agreed to surrender every child to Kamsa. Kamsa agreed but he made both of them live in a palace prison until their 8th child was born. Every time the couple had a child, King used to visit the cell and killed every child unmoved by heartbreaking cries of Devika and Vasudeva. He killed their 7 children until nine years later Devika was about to have her 9th child.

But the night 8th child was about to be born; a miracle happened. All the guards went to sleep, the doors of the prison opened by themselves. Soon Devika gave birth to her 9th child who was dark in completion but a beautiful boy beyond comparison. Devika suggested her Husband to quickly go out of jail to Gokul kingdom and exchange their child with king Nanda's daughter who was Vasudeva's friend. The Gokul kingdom was across the river Yamuna, suddenly Vasudeva saw a basket. He put the child on the basket and started to cross the river. Half of his body was inside the water with heavy rain going on. Suddenly a five-faced snake started following him, but rather than killing Vasudeva, snake provided a canopy over the babyhood. Vasudeva understood that angels are protecting the child.

As Vasudeva reached Gokul, he realized everyone was sleeping so exchanged his son with the daughter next to Yashoda. Vasudeva returned to the prison with a daughter's child. Soon, the doors got locked by themselves and all guards were awake. On seeing the baby, the attendants rushed to inform the king that their 8th child was born. King rushed to the cell, as he was about to kill the child, the little girl flew up and took the form of a fierce goddess warning King that his destroyer is born and he will kill you. The little girl then disappeared and is still worshipped as Durga, Tara, Ishani, and Mandakini.

Krishna grew up with the care of Yashoda and Nanda who lived in Vrindavan. He and his gang of friends were the most naughtiest children in the neighborhood. Lord Krishna Favourite food was while butter that he would steal all of it that Yashoda would make at home. But Kamsa on the other hand sent several demons to kill Krishna. But it was always Krishna who killed all those demons.

When Krishna was 16 years old, Kansa organized a wrestling match and called Krishna to visit. As per rules, no killings were allowed in the match. Rumors were spread all over that Krishna is a god avatar and he will be coming to fight. Many people came from excitement just to see glimpse of Krishna’s look. As the competition started, Chanura (Kansa associate) defeated wrestlers after wrestlers till there was no one else to fight. He gave an open challenge to crowd that anyone can come and fight with me. When no one came, he went to Krishna and asked him to fight. Chanura a monster of a man wanted to crush Krishna, while the match started Krishna noticed that Chanura was using his left leg tenderly therefore Krishna attacked his left leg. Krishna went over Chanura shoulder and break his neck. Crowd started chanting for Krishna and celebrations were started. The next person to fight with Krisna was king Kansa. Kansa to protect himself caused stampede occurred, Kamsa pulled out his word and walked towards Krishna. Krishna realized it, he ran towards Kamsa, pulled him down, dragged him to the Wrestling ring and killed him.