Festivals Associated With Shri Krishna, Apart From Janmashtami

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Shri Krishna Janmashtami is one of the major festivals celebrated in almost every household in India. He is most popular amongst the commonfolk due to his astounding leelas and miracles. Devotees pray to the omnipotent Krishna whose words of knowledge in Bhagavad Gita inspires millions.

Of all his festivals, Krishna janmashtami ranks the highest in the most popular Krishna festivals. Temples lit beautifully with series of diyas and lights enchant your senses. Besides Janmashtami, do you know of other festivals in the country associated with Krishna and his leelas?

1. Janmashtami

Shri Krishna was the 8th incarnation of Lord Vishnu whose janmashtami is celebrated as per the lunisolar panchang. Devotees break their fast once it strikes 12 in the midnight as midnight is the time Krishna was born. Each festival of Krishna has a theme and mode of celebration. The day is spent in singing bhajans, listening to the kathas, and enact plays based on his stories.

2. Raksha Bandhan

It may surprise you to know that Rakhi festival is connected with Krishna. The story goes thus. Once Krishna cut his fingers while trying to fly a kite and Satyabhama and Rukmini were also present. While Rukmini rushes inside to get a cloth to tie around his finger, Draupadi, who rushed to the spot, tied his fingers with a torn portion of her saree and the bleeding stopped. Krishna, who was moved with this thoughtful gesture, promised to protect her and assured that he will be there whenever she requires his help. The brotherly and sisterly feeling that both had about each other is celebrated in the form of Raksha Bandhan

3. Holi

As per the legends, Krishna used to often compare his skin colour with the fair Radha. As he was young, at that time, he used to pester his mother Yashoda about it many a times. Tired of his questions. Yashoda asked him to throw some colours on her and dab her face with which ever colours he liked. So Krishan played Gulal with Radha and this initiated the festival of Holi amongst the villagers and continued as a tradtion.

4. Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja, otherwise known as Annakut, is celebrated on the next day of Diwali. Govardhan mountain was lifted by a mere finger of Lord Krishna, who, just in time, saved the lives of thousands of Vrindanvan inhabitants from thunderstorm and sheltered them under the mountain. Annakut means mountain of food or rice and this is offered to Lord Krishna on the day of Govardhan puja. This is a proof that God listens to ardent prayers of sincerity and devotion.

5. Dahi Handi

Dahi Handi is a Maharashtrian festival where Govindas or participants ( krishnas ) form a human pyramid to reach a potful of curds, that is hung high, break it and then to receive the prize. This is a festival that brings on the gaiety and splendor of all the Krishna festivals together into one and celebrates the festival with splashing colours, curd and buttermilk. A day after Janmashtami this festival is celebrated. They choose curds because curds and buttermilk were the favourite foods that Krishna was addicted to in child hood. Maakhan Chor and ladoo Gopal were the names given to him by his devotees.

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