Krishna Janmasthami also known as Janmasthami is a Hindu festival celebrates annually the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of vishnu.
India is rich in celebrating festivals. Janmasthami marks the birth of lord krishna. It is said that the krishna was born on Ashtami or eighth day of the holy month, Shravana. On this auspicious occasion people congregates temples to offer prayers and bhog to the Lord Krishna. In most India household, the festival is celebrated by bathing Nand Gopal with milk, honey and water and dressed them in new cloths. In Major temples Bhagavata purana and Bhagavad Gita are recited. They also organise dance-drama events also called as Rasa Lila or Krishna Lila. The tradition of organising Ras Lila is particularly popular in Mathura region, Gujarat and in any part of Rajasthan.
Significance of Janmasthami: Krishna was the son of Devaki and Vasudeva. He was born in the era where freedoms were denied and there was a threat to his life by his maternal uncle, Kansa. He was determined to kill Krishna after his birth. Immediately after his birth, His father took Krishna across Yamuna, to foster parents in Gokul named Nanda and Yashoda. Kansa had imprisoned his sister and brother in law. Later Lord Krishna killed Kansa and saved Mathura. From then people celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna every year.
Chappan Bhog : After sundown people sing bhajans in the name of Lord and break their fast after midnight. Devotees put a list of 56 items of Krishna’s favorite dishes which is referred as Chappan Bhog and later it will be distributed among the people after fast. Some of the common dishes found in Bhog are jalebi, makhan mishri, dahi, cashews, khichadi.