Shri Krishna is a major deity of Hinduism, who is considered to be the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. He is the hero of Mahabharata and the preacher of Bhagavad Gita. The stories of his life are described in detail in many texts, the main ones of which are Mahabharata, Bhagavata Purana, and Harivansh Purana.
Shri Krishna was born in the prison of Mathura, where his maternal uncle Kansa had imprisoned his parents, Devaki and Vasudev. To save Krishna from the atrocities of Kansa, Vasudev took him to Nand Baba and Yashoda Mata in Gokul at night. There he grew up as an ordinary cowherd and performed many leelas in his childhood, including lifting the Govardhan mountain, killing Kansa, and his Raasleela with Radha.
Shri Krishna played an important role as Arjuna's charioteer in the war of Mahabharata. To free Arjuna from attachment before the war, he gave him the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita, which describes the principles of Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga, and Jnanayoga. These teachings of the Gita continue to guide us in various aspects of life even today.
Lord Krishna has a multifaceted personality—he is revered as a God, a lover, a friend, a diplomat, and an ideal yogi. His life and his teachings are still a source of inspiration for millions of people.
Sri Krishna played many important roles in his life:
Childhood Leelas: In his childhood, he killed many demons and performed Raasleela with the gopis.
Kans Vadh: He freed Mathura from tyranny by killing his maternal uncle Kans.
Kurukshetra War: As Arjuna's charioteer in the Mahabharata war, he preached the Bhagavad Gita, which is a unique text about Dharma, Karma, and Moksha.
In the Bhagavad Gita, Shri Krishna explained the principles of life through Karmayoga, Bhaktiyoga, and Gyanyoga. His life teaches us to love, patience, and follow Dharma.
Many major festivals associated with Shri Krishna are celebrated with great joy in Hinduism. These festivals commemorate important events and pastimes of his life. Here is a description of some of the main festivals related to Shri Krishna:
Janmashtami (Krishna Janmashtami)
Significance: It is the celebration of the birth of Shri Krishna. It is celebrated as the birth of Shri Krishna, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
Date: It is celebrated on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha of the month of Shravan (August-September).
Celebrations: On this day devotees observe fast, special pujas and bhajans are performed in temples. The birth ceremony of Lord Krishna is celebrated at midnight, as this is believed to be the time of his birth.
Govardhan Puja
Significance: This festival commemorates the incident of Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain, when he protected the people of Gokul from the wrath of Lord Indra.
Date: Celebrated on the next day of Diwali.
Celebrations: On this day, Govardhan mountain is worshipped, and Annakoot (food festival) is celebrated in homes in which various types of food are offered to the Lord.
Gopashtami
Significance: On this day, Lord Krishna took up the task of grazing cows for the first time, so it is considered a festival of cowherds and cows.
Date: Ashtami of Shukla Paksha of Kartik month It is celebrated.
Festival: On this day cowherds and cows are worshipped. It is celebrated with great pomp especially in Mathura and Vrindavan.
Raas Purnima
Significance: This festival is a celebration of Raasleela, dedicated to the divine dance of Lord Krishna and the Gopis.
Date: Celebrated on Sharad Purnima.
Celebration: Raasleela dance and bhajans are organized in Vrindavan, Mathura and other parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Holi
Significance: Holi reminds us of Shri Krishna's days in Mathura and Vrindavan, where he used to play colors with the Gopis and cowherds.
Date: Celebrated on the full moon day in the month of Phalgun (February-March).
Celebration: Celebrated on the day of colors and love Festival of Akshaya Tritiya, on this day people put colors on each other and sing hymns.
Akshaya Tritiya
Significance: This festival associated with Lord Krishna underlines the importance of his divine leelas and charity.
Date: It is celebrated on the Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of Vaishakh month.
Celebration: On this day people do charity and worship Krishna.
Through these festivals, the leelas of Shri Krishna and the teachings given by him are remembered. Each festival inspires us to take inspiration from his life and follow the path of religion, love, and truth.
