Kathmandu, Sept 4: Followers of the Vedic Sanatana faith are celebrating the ‘Shree Krishna Janmastami’ festival across the country today with reverence and devotion, offering worship to Lord Shree Krishna.
Since Lord Krishna—the proponent of Gyana Yoga, Karma Yoga, and Bhakti Yoga—was born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of Bhadra during the Dwapara Yuga, this day is known as ‘Shree Krishna Janmashtami’ and the night as ‘Moharatri’.
On this day, religious discourses, and devotional singing (bhajan-kirtan) dedicated to Lord Krishna are performed at temples across the country. The devotees also observe a fast and keep an all-night vigil on the occasion.
Born as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu to protect humanity from injustice, oppression, and demonic tendencies, Shree Krishna championed the cause of truth throughout his life and inspired mankind to engage in righteous deeds.
The ‘Shreemad Bhagavad Gita’, believed to be the precepts uttered by Lord Krishna himself while imparting teachings to Arjuna, one of the five Pandava brothers, during the battle against the Kauravas at Kurukshetra, is revered as a sacred scripture. Known simply as the ‘Gita’, this text is believed to be the most translated work in the world.
It is mentioned in the Hindu scriptures the Puranas that Shree Krishna, who displayed His extraordinary divine actions from childhood, destroyed beings of demonic nature such as Putana, Kamsa, Jarasandha, and Shishupala.
On the occasion of Shree Krishna Janmastami, a large fair is held today at the famous Krishna Mandir in Mangalbazar, Patan. Similarly, crowds of devotees gather at Navatan Dham, located in Kageshwari-Manohara Municipality in the northeastern part of the capital. Crowds of devotees also flock to various Krishna temples across the country.
There is also a tradition of various religious organizations in Kathmandu organizing cultural processions and chariot parades featuring tableaux depicting Lord Krishna. The government has declared a public holiday today to mark the festival.
