Himani Sharma
A sacred festival that we eagerly await all year long is the blessed birthday of our beloved Shyam, our dearest Laddu Gopal. In Hinduism this day is no less than a grand celebration known as Janmashtami. It marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu and commemorates not only His divine pastimes but also the profound philosophical essence of His life.
On this auspicious day temples are beautifully adorned, cradles for the divine infant are decorated and captivating tableaux of Radha Krishna are displayed. The Dahi Handi celebration holds a special place on this occasion symbolising the playful childhood pastimes of Lord Krishna especially when along with His friends He would steal curd and butter from the homes of Gokul.
In August 2025 Janmashtami will be observed on the 15th and 16th of the month.
Lord Krishna was born to Mother Devaki in the prison of His tyrannical uncle King Kansa in Mathura. Soon after He was taken to Gokul where He was raised with immense love and affection by Mother Yashoda and Nanda Baba. His childhood was filled with enchanting pastimes — stealing butter, playing the flute with its soul-stirring melody and performing the divine Rasa Leela with the Gopis. The love between Radha and Krishna is not merely a worldly romance; it is the eternal symbol of the union between the soul and the Supreme.
From slaying the demoness Putana to subduing the mighty serpent Kaliya His childhood deeds demonstrated that the Lord manifests in every form to destroy unrighteousness. Once when Lord Indra unaware of Krishna’s divine nature tried to punish the people of Gokul with torrential rain young Krishna lifted the entire Govardhan Hill effortlessly on His little finger for seven days sheltering the villagers and humbling Indra’s pride. It was also Krishna who initiated the Annakoot festival in the month of Kartik teaching us that God always stands by His devotees.
In His youth Krishna liberated His parents from Kansa’s captivity and vanquished the tyrant guiding him towards liberation and re-establishing righteousness. During the epic Mahabharata as the charioteer of Arjuna He delivered the divine discourse of the Bhagavad Gita. “Karmanyevadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kadachana” — You have the right to perform your duties but not to claim the fruits of your actions.
Every facet of Lord Krishna’s life imparts timeless lessons to act with patience, courage and righteousness to love and serve with devotion and to seek liberation through faith, love and selfless action.
Infinite blessings on the occasion of Shri Krishna Janmashtami.
Himani Sharma
