Rituals Of Janmashtami

Thursday, August 14, 2014, 20:43 [IST]

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated every year in the form of Janmashtami. The much awaited Hindu festival is celebrated worldwide with lots of joy, enthusiasm and vigour.

There are many spiritual practices and customs that are followed during Janmashtami. For example, fasting is very common to observe this Hindu festival. Also known as Janmashtami vrat, fasting is observed for 24 hours by devotees of Lord Krishna.

Worshipping Bal Gopal at home is a practice in most of the Hindu households. It is believed that the deity of the house is one among the family members. Hence the deity has to be taken care in the same way as you would look after a family member.

DECORATING BABY KRISHNA ON JANMASHTAMI

Bal Gopal or Laddu Gopal is the baby form of Lord Krishna. He is considered to be the cutest member of the family. Therefore He is worshipped and taken care like a child of the family in every household. It is believed that if you have Bal Gopal at home, then you must follow all the rules and regulations of Bal Gopal worship properly. This is because Bal Gopal is Lord Krishna Himself and He is supposed to the first member of the family.

On Janmashtami, Bal Gopal has to be definitely worshipped with more affection and devotion for sure. Take a look at these rituals of Janmashtami.

Janmashtami: How to Celebrate, जन्माष्टमी के दिन ऐसी हो दिनचर्या | Astrology | Boldsky

Janmashtami Fasting

Phalahar Fast: Also known as Phalahar vrat, it is one of the most common types of Janmashtami fasting. The person refrains from cereals, grains, salt and rice. Only buckwheat flour and potatoes are prepared once in the day. The phalahar is consumed midnight after offering prayers and bhog to Krishna. The person can eat fruits and drink milk before sunset.

Nirjal Fast: This is a strict type of Janmashtami fasting where the person refrains from water as well. The devotee doesn't eat or drink anything until midnight Janmashtami Puja is performed, and the bhog is offered to the deity.

Bathing Your Laddu Gopal

One must bathe and dress Bal Gopal on Janmashtami. It is a compulsory ritual to bathe Krishna with milk and water and dress Him up in some of the cutest attires.

Items Required For Bath

The items you must have for Bal Gopal's bath are: Ganga Jal or water from the Ganga river

A leaf of Tulsi
Sandalwood paste
Panchamrita
Scented oil
Cotton wool or towel
Mirror Jewellery Clothes for the deity
Flowers Incense sticks
Ghee lamp
Bhog or food offerings

Clothing

After Laddu Gopal has been bathed with Ganga jal, tulsi leaf, panchamrita, oil and sandalwood, He must be wiped with a clean towel or cotton. After that He must be clothed in new clothes and jewellery. After dressing up He has to be shown the mirror. Then food and other offerings are made to Him.

Bhog

Bhog is basically the food offerings. Since Lord Krishna is fond of milk, one must offer a bowl of milk along with other delicacies.

Lighting The Lamp

After offering the food, you must light a ghee lamp in front of the deity along with incense sticks. Also you must chant the mantra
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Ram Hare Ram Ram Ram Hare Hare

Significance Of Janmashtami Fast

Janmashtami fast is a quite strict and difficult fast. It is believed that Janmashtami fasting is thousand times beneficial than Ekadashi vrat. Lord Narayan incarnated midnight on this day. When Yudhishthira asked the benefit of Janmashtami vrat, Lord Krishna replied, "One observing fast on Janmashtami will never lack wealth, food and fame." That is why Janmashtami fast is kept by almost every woman in Hindu households.