Krishna Janmashtami: Celebration of good over evil

Krishna Janmashtami is an occasion for the Hindu community to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna. He was born on the eighth day (ashtami according to Hindu calendar) of Krishna Paksha in Shravan month in Rohini nakshatra in Uttar Pradesh's Mathura. He was known to be the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Lord Krishna was a Chandra Vanshi (belonging to lunar dynasty), born in the middle of the night - the reason why it is still celebrated by his devotees at midnight.

There is a very interesting lore associated with Krishna's birth. According to Hindu religious texts, he was born in a prison where his parents Vasudev and Devaki were kept by the latter's evil brother Kansa. When Krishna was born, all the locks of the jail magically opened and the guards on duty fell asleep; Vasudev put him in a basket and crossed numerous hurdles, including an overflowing river Yamuna, to take him to Yashoda in order to save the infant from wrath of Kansa who had vowed to kill him. Lord Krishna was raised by Nandbaba and Yashoda. While growing up, he faced many Asura (demons).

Krishna was born in the era when evil was at its peak, and freed souls like that of Kansa, Putna and played a crucial role in the killing of Duryodhana and Shakuni during Mahabharata.

Best known as a charioteer of Arjuna, Krishna never let him choose the path of adharma. During Mahabharat, Lord Krishna chose to be with Pandavas and no matter what the circumstances and always treaded the path of dharma. Mahabharat was written centuries ago, but the teachings still inspire us and that deep philosophy still finds relevance in present times. Lord Krishna also gave Arjuna - his friend and disciple - the essence of Vedas and Upanishads in the form of Gita during the Great War of Mahabharat.

Some of these teachings are:

* Think with a calm mind
* Do your work without expecting results
* Treat everyone equally
* Always be ready for the change
* Whatever you do, do it with full dedication to set high standards
* Always stand for the right and fight for it
* friendship is an eternal bond
* Half knowledge is always dangerous
* Woman is no lesser a individual

After Maharabharat was over, Lord Krishna left the Braj (Mathura-Vrindavan) region and formed his kingdom was Gujarat's Dwarka. Krishna was called a Yugpurush - he took all the good and bad with a calm mind and was ready to bear the consequences.

Lord Krishna's teachings, his way of life, his philosophy and inculcation of preachings into practice is something which can help us in present times. His whole life is a great understanding of various aspects of life like friendship, love, devotion, dedication, fighting, calmness and tolerance. 

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated all over India with great enthusiasm. Devotees in Mathura and Vrindavan organise Dahi Handi to mark the day and its grandeur is worth a watch. The devotees all over India keep fast on Janmashtami, followed by bhajan and dance. Lord Krishna's birth is celebrated at midnight. His love for maakhan (butter) and mishri is well known, so different sweet dishes are prepared along with the two delicacies.

Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated for four to six days with a lot of love and affection.