Kathmandu, 4 Sep: Followers of Vedic Sanatan Dharma are celebrating the festival of Sri Krishna Janmashtami across the country on Friday by worshipping Lord Krishna with श्रद्धा and devotion.
Lord Krishna, regarded as the proponent of Jnana Yoga (path of knowledge), Karma Yoga (path of action), and Bhakti Yoga (path of devotion), is believed to have been born at midnight on the eighth day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadra during the Dwapara Yuga. Therefore, the day is celebrated as Sri Krishna Janmashtami, while the night is known as Moharatra. On this occasion, Krishna temples across the country hold worship services, religious discourses, devotional singing and chanting. Many devotees, particularly men and women observing fasts, stay awake throughout the night as part of the tradition.
Born as the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu to protect humanity from injustice, oppression and demonic tendencies, Lord Krishna is believed to have remained on the side of truth throughout his life and inspired people to engage in righteous deeds.
The Srimad Bhagavad Gita, considered a sacred scripture, is believed to have been spoken by Lord Krishna himself while advising Arjuna, one of the Pandavas, during the battle between the Pandavas and the Kauravas at Kurukshetra. Commonly known simply as the Gita, the scripture is believed to have been translated into more languages than any other religious or philosophical text in the world.
According to Hindu scriptures, Lord Krishna displayed extraordinary divine acts from his childhood and defeated demonic figures such as Putana, Kansa, Jarasandha and Shishupala. A large fair is held at the famous Krishna Temple in Mangal Bazaar, Patan, on the occasion of Janmashtami on Friday. Similarly, devotees gather in large numbers at Navatan Dham in Kageshwori Manohara Municipality in the northeastern part of Kathmandu.
Large crowds of devotees also gather at various large and small Krishna temples across the capital. Religious organizations in Kathmandu traditionally organize processions and chariot processions featuring tableaux depicting Lord Krishna to mark the festival.
The government has declared Friday a public holiday on the occasion of Sri Krishna Janmashtami.
