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After eight days of Raksha Bandhan, comes this festival in
July-August, when people observe fast throughout the day and take food only
when the moon is seen. On this day Bilndropnd Krishna Ashtmi (August-September)
at 12 midnight, Devki, the wife of Vasudeva gave birth to Krishna, in the
prison of Kansa, at Mathura. Krishna was an incarnation of Visnu and was
personified for the destruction of the demons (Asuras). How Krishna was rescued
from the prison is a very popular and interesting legend. Just before midnight,
Visnu appeared in the prison ceil, where Vasudeva and Devks were kept chained.
Both got up and paid their homage to god Visnu. The God informed that soon
after there shall be complete darkness, ali guards will sleep, all doors will
open. Then Vasudeva should take away the new born across Yamuna to Gokul at
Nand Baba's house. The god before disappearing said that now he would take
birth in person through Devki's womb as a baby son Krishna! So it happened,
Krishna, the newly born personified incarnation of Visnu, was laid by the side
of sleeping Yasodhara; who had given birth to a daughter that day. The two
babies were exchanged. Krishna remained with Nanda and Yasodhara and the
daughter came to Vasudeva and Devki. When Vasudeva reached back safelv, the
gates closed and the guards awakened. The birth of the daughter was announced
and Kansa came to the prison. He picked up the new born girl and threw her down
on a stone. Surprisingly the girl did not fall on the stone, but flew to the
sky announcing to Kansa, that your killer has arrived safely in Gokul.
Thereafter Kansa tried all his magical, demoniac powers to destroy Krishna, but
to no avail. Ultimately he died at the hands of Krishna.
A great festival to celebrate the anniversary of Lord Krishna's
birth is held in August at gokul, which is situated on the banks of the river
Yamuna, about seven miles from Madhura.The spot is famous as the place to which
the infant Krishna was brought by his father and exchanged with the newly born
daughter of Yasoda, wife of Nanda, to save him from his uncle, the giant Kansa,
who threatened to kill him.
Near by at Mahaban, is an interesting temple called the palace
of Nanda, the foster-father of the changeling Krishna, and here relics of the
god’s infancy are preserved, which are inspected with revential awe by
thousand of pilgrims year. The god’s cradle, a rude structure covered in
red calico and tinsel stands in a pillared hall, and blue-black statue of the
sacred child stands under a canopy against the wall.
One piller of the temple is said to have been polished by the
hand of Krishna’s foster mother Jasodhara, as she leaned against it while
churning butter for the household, and the actual churn she used is shown,
consisting of a long bamboo sticking out of a carved stone. Other pillars have
been equally polished by the pious hands of the streams of Visnu worshippers
who have passed through the hall all down the ages.
The temple guids, point point out a spot on the wall where the
sportive milkmaids are said to have hidden Krishna’s flute, but if you
find one in a communicative mod, he will tell you that the old temple was
destroyed and reerected by Aurangazeb from ancient Hindu and Buddhist
materials, to serve as a mosque.
The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and eagerness.
Streets are illuminated, images of Krishna are installed at places and in
central places. Worship and offering are made, cold drinks are liberally served
to the passersby. It is a great occasion for meeting relatives and friends.
Sounds and light tableaus are installed.
People visit temples and take their turn in pulling the string
of the cradle in which Krishna’s image has been installed. It is
considered auspicious.
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