JAMMU SOAKED IN FESTIVE SPIRIT ON JANAMASHTAMI

Ayesha Mahajan

The city of temples is all set to celebrate the festival of Sri Krishna Janamashtmi. Various temples and devotees of Lord Krishna as well as religious organizations and Mandlis seem to be gearing up to celebrate the festival with great joy and enthusiasm across Jammu.

Janamashtami is one of the most popular festivals commemorating the birth of beloved Lord, Bhagwan Shri Krishna, on the eighth day (Ashtami) in the month of Sravana or Savana. Krishna was the 8th son of Devaki and Vasudeva, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.

To mark the festival, many prominent bazaars and streets, especially Kanak Mandi, Kachi Chawni, Pacca Danga, Raghunath bazaar, etc. have been beautifully adorned and illuminated with lights. Many people can be seen searching beautiful and decorative items to beautify Jhanki (tableaux) at their houses and Pandals. In view of this, a lot of shops in the city are dealing exclusively with such stuff of decoration and Pooja material for the festival ahead.

There is a large demand of decorative items like Krishna idols, big and small sculptures, wall hangings or torans with the picture of Lord Krishna, Jhoolas (cradles), Vastra (dresses) of the Lord, and other Janamashtmi symbols such as flute, Morpankh, pots containing butter and butter milk. Clothes of lord Krishna in myriad hues embedded with weeds and pearls, jewellery items, bed-sheets and pillows for the cradle of lord, and other such items have become the major attraction of buyers. The figurines of Ladoo Gopal (infant figure of Lord Krishna), Gangajal, Ghee, honey, new clothes in peetamber (yellow) colour, and precious jewellery remain in great demand on this occasion. On the day of Janamashtmi, the holy idol of Lord Krishna is adorned with these new clothes and jewellery items in the homes. Each person tries his/her best to please Lord Krishna.

Preparations for Janamashtami function are in full sway at many prominent Krishna temples in the city. Along with this, Jammu and Kashmir Dharmarth Trust has also stated that a huge ‘Shobha Yatra’ (procession) of Lord Krishna will be taken out from old traditional routes of the city, a day prior to Janamashtmi, in which a large number of temples from the city as well as various social, religious, and spiritual organizations will take part. The traditional routes of the procession would be Raghunath Bazaar, Residency Road, Kanak  Mandi, Purani Mandi, Link Road, Jain Bazaar, Mubarak Mandi, Pacca Danga, Moti Bazaar and then back to Raghunath Bazaar.

The festivities in Jammu begin during midnight, with the birth of Lord Krishna. This is marked by a lot of hymns, Aarti taking place and blowing of the Conch (shankh). The statue of infant Lord Krishna is bathed and placed in a cradle which is rocked. The devotees of Lord Krishna keep fast for the whole day and night. The festivities extend to the next day (Shri Krishna Janmashtami), and the entrances to temples in Jammu remain lined with footprints of the infant Lord Krishna drawn by devotees. Ladoo Gopal is offered Bhog of Halwa, Fruits, dry fruits, Makhan Misri, kheer, Pedha, milk, and specially Ladoo (which are considered to be Lord’s favourite).

In view of Janamashtami celebrations, security has also been tightened across the city. In the crowded areas of the city, security guards and policemen have been deployed.

In Jammu, Shri Krishna Janamashtami is also associated with kite flying. It is an important part of celebrations on the occasion of Janamashtami. Crowded rooftops with people playing loud music are a common sight during kite flying in Jammu on Janamashtami.

We must remember that beyond all the glitter of Janamashtami celebrations, is the message of love, peace, and goodwill taught by Lord Krishna. It is not merely a time for fun, frolic and feasting, but an opportunity to apply the message of Lord Krishna in each person’s life. May Lord Krishna obliterate evils from the lives of his devotees.