Janmashtami

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Janmashtami

It was a dark time in Mathura when Krishna was born. King Ugrasena is in
prison, put there by his evil son Kansa who is unjust and is in constant
conflict with the neighbouring Yadu dynasty.
In an attempt to expand his kingdom, Kansa marries his sister Devaki to the
Yadu king Vasudeva. He hopes to usurp Vasudeva's territory over time by
employing underhand tricks but the heavens have other plans for the
wretched king.
After the wedding Kansa decides to shower the newlyweds with lavish gifts
in order to gain Vasudeva's trust. When he takes the reigns of the nuptial
chariot a voice from the heavens booms out that soon his evil ways will
come to an end at the hands of his sister's 8th child.
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Janmashtami
Kansa doesn't see this as a problem and draws his sword to slay Devaki right
there. To save his wife Vasudeva brokers a deal with the evil king. He
promises to bring his first 8 children to the king on the day they are born if
he would spare Devaki's life.
As promised, he offers the king his first six newborns. When Devaki gets
pregnant for the 7th time is when things start to get really interesting.
Through divine intervention, Devaki's 7th child is transferred from her
womb to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva's first wife and is born in safety.
When Devaki gets pregnant again Kansa is anxious. Krishna is in fact
Devaki's 8th child and also an avatar of the Lord Vishnu.

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Janmashtami
Just as she goes into labour, Vishnu, the preserver appears in her prison cell.
He informs Vasudeva that this child is an incarnation of himself and will
deliver the entire kingdom from Kansa the tyrant.
With a bolt of lightening, Vishnu destroys the the locks and puts the guards
to sleep. He gives Vasudeva precise instructions of what he should do next
and then disappears in a flash of light.
In the dead of night Vasudeva leaves the palace carrying a wicker basket
containing his divine son. Vishnu had instructed him to cross the Yamuna
into the village of Gokul and exchange the babe with the new born baby of
Gokul's head Nanda and his wife Yashoda.

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Janmashtami
How we celebrate Janmashtami
People observe Janmashtami to celebrate the birth and escape of Krishna
from King Kansa. They place an idol of baby Krishna in a cradle and swing it
joyously and offer it sweets, curd, and ghee. Devotees of Krishna will fast all
day, visit a Krishna temple at night and break their fast only at midnight,
when he is said to have been born.

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Janmashtami
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Govinda or Dahi Handi is a Janmashtami
tradition that reflects Krishna's mischievous
nature. An earthen pot filled with a mixture
of dahi and ghee is suspended high above
the ground. Inside it is usually some money
donated by people of the locality. Groups of
men will then make a human pyramid and
attempt to break the pot to get to its
contents. The winnings are distributed
amongst the entire team.

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