Janmashtami 2023 Live Updates: According to Indian mythology, Lord Krishna was the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu, who born in the Dvapara Yuga. (Photo: Getty/Thinkstock)Shri Krishna Janmashtami 2023 Highlights: Everywhere in the world, the Hindu community rejoiced greatly on Janmashtami. This day commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna, said to be the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu — one of the three members of the revered Hindu trinity.
It was observed on September 6 this year. On the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha, which falls in the month of Shraavana of Bhadrapad (which coincides with August or September of the Gregorian calendar), the festival is observed.
Krishna, the child of Devaki and Vasudeva, was born at Mathura at midnight on the eighth day of the Bhadrapada month, according to Hindu scriptures. However, his maternal uncle King Kansa kept putting his life in danger.
Vasudeva, who was detained in a dungeon, transported the newborn in a basket after his birth all the way from there to Gokul, where Nanda and Yashoda nurtured him. Little Krishna statues are dressed in clothes and placed in cradles on the auspicious day.
Every year, Janmashtami is a big celebration, especially in Mathura, where Krishna was born, and Vrindavan, where he spent his formative years.
One of the customs on this day is creating a human pyramid out of all the participants, called dahi handi.
Devotees in many regions of the nation and abroad observe Dahi Handi, a significant and enjoyable practice. This year it was celebrated on Thursday, i.e. September 7, the day after Janmashtami.
Pictured here is a little boy dressed like Krishna -- complete with the 'mukut', the 'tilak' on the forehead, and the yellow 'vastra'. (Express photo by Vishal Srivastava)
Across the country, Janmashtami was celebrated with pomp and show. From Kashmiri Pandits in Srinagar to the Govindas in Mumbai, everyone seemed to be in a festive mood.
Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla paid his respects at a temple on Janmashtami
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday visited a 'Dahi Handi' event in Thane and asked revellers to ensure the festival is celebrated safely and by preserving the religious sentiments attached to it.
Before addressing the event at Tembi Naka here, he paid tribute at Anand Ashram nearby, which was the office from where his mentor late Anand Dighe ran the Shiv Sena in the region.
The enthusiasm for festivals has become "limitless" and his government had taken efforts to remove all (coronavirus-induced) curbs, the CM said.
The making of human pyramids for 'Dahi Handi' was given the status of 'adventure sport' by his government (in August last year), while the day has been declared a holiday and insurance of Rs 10 lakh has been taken for each participant, Shinde said.
"Participants should take utmost care to protect the religious sentiments attached to the festival and must ensure there is no blot on the celebrations," he said.
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Rakulpreet Singh attended the Janmashtami Utsav celebrations, held at CM Eknath Shinde's house, with her boyfriend Jackky Bhagnani
Govindas take part in 'Dahi Handi' celebrations on the occasion of Krishna Janmashtami at Dadar, in Mumbai.
Thousands of devotees witnessed the "abhishek" ceremony of lord Krishna at the three major temples in this Uttar Pradesh district on the occasion of Janmashtami on Thursday, officials said.
The "abhishek" (bathing of the deity) ceremony was performed at the Radha Raman, Radha Damodar and Gokulanand temples as Janmashtami was celebrated at the birthplace of Krishna in Mathura, Balram Goswami, the priest of the Radha Damodar temple, said.
He added that while the festival is celebrated everywhere at midnight, it is celebrated during the day at these temples in accordance with the tradition set up by noted seer Jeev Goshwami nearly 500 years ago.
Since the Shahji temple in Vrindavan also celebrates all the festivals in accordance with the traditions followed at the Radha Raman temple, here too, Janmashtami was celebrated in the morning, Prasant Shah, the priest of the temple, said.
At several other Krishna temples here, the "abhishek" ceremony would be held at midnight.
The "charnamrit" (a mixture of milk, curd, ghee, khandsari, honey and herbs) of the ceremony was distributed among the devotees, the priest said.
At the Srikrishna Janmabhumi, the day started with the blowing of shehnai and the sound of conch and drum beats, followed by the "abhishek" ceremony of
the deity and the distribution of the "charnamrit" among the devotees, Kapil Sharma, secretary, Srikrishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, said.
Thousands of pilgrims paid obeisance to the deities at the Bhagwat Bhavan temple and other temples at the Srikrishna Janmasthan.
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With today being Janmashtami, celebrity nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar took to Twitter to share the Janmashtami special of Rishinchi bhaji or sage’s vegetable, a delicacy prepared in Maharashtra.
“This is cooked and relished on #Janmashtami. It’s a bhaji with all the wild greens and makai, the harvest of the season, cooked in their own juices. Best enjoyed with a rice/jowar bhakri with a dollop of white butter or ghee and some dahi (curd),” read the post from Diwekar.
Know the benefits of this dish here.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah will visit the ISKCON Temple at East of Kailash in south Delhi and perform pooja on the occasion of Janmashtami on Thursday, sources said.
Janmashtami is observed to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
"On the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami, the home minister will visit the ISKCON Temple, East of Kailash, New Delhi and perform pooja at 11:30 pm," the source said.
Shah also extended greetings to everyone in the country for the day.
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Suresh Raina took to X, formerly Twitter, on Thursday to extend greetings on the pious occasion of Janmashtami.
"Happy Janmashtami to all! On this #Janmashtami, may all your wishes come true, and Lord Krishna's divine blessings fill your life with love, joy, and prosperity. Have a blessed day everyone!" he wrote.
Dahi Handi celebrations started in Mumbai on Thursday morning with much joy and enthusiasm as thousands of participants and spectators gathered to mark the occasion.
Dahi Handi is part of the Krishna Janmashtami festival, celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna. During the festival, ‘Govindas' or Dahi Handi participants form multi-tiered human pyramids to break 'dahi handis' (earthen pots filled with curd) suspended in the air.
Dahi handis decorated with flowers have been hoisted many feet above the ground at several housing societies, roads, junctions and public grounds across the city.
Dressed in colourful attires, Govindas have been visiting these places in trucks, tempos, buses and two-wheelers.
Popular Bollywood songs about the festival are blaring from speakers at every nook and corner of the city, with the festive spirit particularly high in Marathi-dominated pockets like Parel, Lalbaug, Worli, Dadar, Bhandup, Mulund, Goregaon and Andheri.
In recent years, some Dahi Handi events backed by politicians in Mumbai and neighbouring cities have become famous due to hefty prize money, the presence of celebrities and entertainment programmes organised there. These Dahi Handis attract huge crowds and a steady flow of Govindas.
Police officials said they have beefed up the security agreements in the city to avoid any law and order issues during the celebrations.
According to a release by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), it has kept 125 beds ready at civic hospitals for the treatment of the Govindas if they get injured after falling while making human pyramids.
The civic body has deputed health officers and staff in three shifts for treatment of the Govinda at the civic hospitals. Besides, these hospitals have been directed to keep injections, medicines and surgery materials ready, the release said.
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Wishes from celebrities to organisations are pouring in on social media. Here's another glimpse.
Members of LGBTQIA community practice for Dahi Handi at Gogte school in Pune.
Sidharth Malhotra wishes everyone on the occasion
As it's Janmashtami today, actor Vicky Kaushal will be participating in one of the Dahi Handi events in Mumbai.
Expressing excitement about it, Vicky said, "Growing up in Mumbai, Dahi Handi was more than just a celebration. It was all about the spirit, unity, and unbreakable bonds of the people. I always felt that the human pyramid formed to break the 'Handi' is a powerful metaphor for resilience and unity. This festival reflects India's spirit."
He added, "I am extremely delighted that this year, I get to be a part of that infectious vibe and celebrate it with such enthusiastic kids. This will definitely take me down my childhood memory lane when I used to go with my family for the local Dahi Handi celebration."
(ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted people on the occasion of Janmashtami on Thursday.
He wished new energy and enthusiasm in the lives of "every member of my family", a reference to citizens, on this auspicious occasion. "Jai Shri Krishna," Modi added in his post on X.
Janmashtami is observed to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.
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Sadhguru also posted Janmashtami wishes on the auspicious occasion.
Let's take a glimpse at how Indians across the country have been celebrating Janmashtami.
Professor PR Mukund, Rochester Institute of Technology, shared his opinion on why we celebrate Lord Krishna stealing 'maakhan' or butter.
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Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday extended Janmashtami greetings to the people of the state and described Lord Krishna as a symbol of compassion.
Devotees cherish Lord Sri Krishna as a symbol of dharma, mercy, and compassion against adharmas (injustice), he said in a Facebook post.
"May this Sri Krishna Jayanthi reinforce the message of spreading the light of love and happiness. Best wishes to all," the Left veteran added.
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Surprisingly, WWE also shared Janmashtami's wishes. See for yourself:
Janmashtami celebrations at Divinebuds public school in Maninagar, Ahmedabad on Wednesday. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Bhubaneswar Mayor joined in the celebrations
On the auspicious occasion, politician PC Mohan wished everyone
Don't miss these easy, quick recipes for the special day!
Celebrities across fields continue to wish. Here's a heartwarming one from badminton player Saina Nehwal
Actor Karan Kundrra took to Twitter to share a wish on the occasion
Iskcon Nashik took to Twitter to extend warm wishes on the occasion
Krishna Janmashtami is incomplete without wishing your near and dear ones. Here are some wishes and messages that we have for you and your loved ones
Janmashtami celebrations begin with much fervour. Here's a glimpse from Janmashtami celebrations at Divinebuds public school in Ahmedabad's Maninagar. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Singer Anup Jalota was one of the first to extend wishes on the occasion
This year, Krishna Janmashtami will be observed on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, with dahi handi on Thursday, September 7, 2023, according to Drik Panchang. READ MORE HERE
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Elaborate arrangements are in place at Sri Krishna Janmasthan Temple in Mathura for the Janmashtami festival slated for September 7, with authorities arranging cloakroom facilities, medical camps and free food for the visiting devotees.
“In order to facilitate those visiting the temple to pay their obeisance to the deity, the portals of the temple will remain open from 5.30 am till 1.30 am the next day," Kapil Sharma, secretary, Srikrishna Janmasthan Seva Sansthan, said on Sunday.
As lakhs of devotees are expected to visit the temple on Janmashtami, the festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, the temple authorities are busy preparing 'prasadam' with non-perishable items.
Final touches to the special attire for the deity are also being given, officials said, adding that the temple is being decked up with flowers and lights of multiple hues.
Sharma said the festival will begin with blowing of 'shehnai' (clarinet) and beating of drums in the temple.
"We have arranged makeshift cloakroom facilities for the devotees at three points leading to Sri Krishna Janmasthan. The people, however, have been advised not to carry expensive belongings or electronic items, and leave them behind where they are putting up before starting for the Sri Krishna Janmasthan," he said.
Chief Medical Officer Ajai Kumar Verma said medical facilities will also be available at every makeshift cloakroom.
Arrangements have also been made by Sri Krishna Sankirtan Mandal to feed every pilgrim visiting the temple till next seven days.
In view of the heavy inflow of devotees, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) would also be deployed on the occasion, SP (security) Anand Kumar said, adding that additional force from the Agra range would also be brought in for the occasion.
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Students dressed as Goddess Durga participate in a cultural event for the celebrations of 'Janmashtami' festival at SNDT College, at Matunga in Mumbai.
A Spanish human pyramid coach here to attend the 'Dahi Handi' festivities on September 7 said on Monday the process of forming it must involve a lot of safety and stress must be on timing rather than the number of layers.
Michal Ferret Miralles from Vila de Gracia in Barcelona also said the Janmashtami festivities in Mumbai are 'amazing' and his trip here was to observe the methods employed by various 'Dahi Handi' mandals and give suggestions.
'The game should be held in a safe manner. The number of layers is not important. It is the manner in which you form the pyramid and the timing,' he told PTI.
He also said the way human pyramids are formed in Mumbai and Spain, where it is an age-old tradition, are different and both can work together to promote the process worldwide.
'There is no competition between us (Mumbai and Spain). We do not want you to change your ways. We are here to guide and provide our expertise,' said Miralles, who will be attending the 'Dahi Handi' celebrations organised by Sanskriti Yuva Pratishthan and Pratap Sarnaik Foundation in Vartak Nagar.
Addressing a press conference, Sarnaik said Miralles and his team from Spain will be invited to take part in the 2024 edition of 'Pro Govinda' event.
It was started by the Maharashtra government this year and the first edition, with the top prize money of Rs 11 lakh, was held in Worli on August 31 and the plan is to make it an annual event.
'Dahi Handi' is a ritual in which teams of participants, called 'Govindas', form human pyramids to break a pot tied several feet from the ground. It was given the status of 'adventure sport' by the Eknath Shinde government in August last year. (Credit: PTI)
Janmashtami, also known as Krishna Janmashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, an important deity in Hinduism. It falls on the eighth day of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in the month of Bhadrapada, according to the Hindu lunar calendar. This typically corresponds to the months of August or September in the Gregorian calendar. Read more here.
The city of Mathura in Uttar Pradesh is decorated with colourful lights, ahead of the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.