New Delhi: On Ashtami Tithi of Krishna Paksha in the month of Bhadrapada, people celebrate Krishna Janmashtami, sometimes called Krishna Gokulashtami. It is one of the most important Hindu festivals. On this day, people celebrate the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. Not just in India, the festival is observed worldwide, let us look at how countries celebrate the day.
How do countries around the world celebrate Krishna Janmashtami?
United States
Given the size of the Indian community in the United States, significant Indian festivals are observed with considerable enthusiasm, and Krishna Janmashtami is a huge celebration in the US. The festivities get underway early in the morning. Like in India, conches (shankh) are blown at midnight to celebrate the deity’s birth, and a statue of the infant Krishna is placed in a cradle (jhoola). People feast to celebrate the event during the day. They go to the closest temple to pray to Lord Krishna. During the day, vibrant celebrations and cultural events are planned to honour Lord Krishna’s birth.
Canada
Janmashtami is celebrated in Toronto, Canada. The Indian population celebrates Lord Krishna’s birth joyfully and enthusiastically. The Richmond Hill Hindu temple hosts various cultural events to mark the auspicious occasion. The sound of mantra chanting and prayers permeates a festive atmosphere. In Canada, the event lasts for the entire day, and it’s a significant day for the local Indian population to get together and engage with one another. The temple society hosts a variety of events, one of which is a musical performance series that honours Janmashtami in Canada.
France
A few days before the festival, Janmashtami preparations start in France. The local marketplaces overflow with ornaments used to adorn the Hindu temples in the area. Paris, the French capital, is home to a sizable Indian population, and therefore, it’s worth seeing the Janmashtami celebrations there. People go to temples there to pray to Lord Krishna. The festival begins in the evening and lasts till midnight. At midnight, ladoo gopal (baby Krishna deity) is ceremoniously bathed in Gangajal (pure Ganga water), specially brought from India. Following the devotion of the deity, devotees indulge in mouthwatering treats known as prasad.
Nepal
Nepal is well renowned for its celebration of Hindu festivals. Many Lord Krishna devotees live in Kathmandu. To commemorate Lord Krishna’s birth, devotees gather in the historic Krishna temple in Patan Durbar Square to offer prayers on this day. It is customary for followers to present Lord Krishna with flowers and food. Lord Krishna, one of the most beloved Hindu deities, is praised in songs and rituals that fill the temple with rhythmic sound and celebration.
Singapore
Singapore, a multicultural nation, is renowned for admiring Hindu festivals. During Janmashtami, stores selling baby Krishna idols and other puja goods are heavily decorated; Serangoon Road is the busiest thoroughfare. Religious processions are held to commemorate Lord Krishna’s birth. Singapore’s Shree Lakshmi Narayan Temple on Chander Road is well-known for its Janmashtami celebrations. One of the distinctive aspects of Singapore’s Janmashtami celebrations is the “Krishna Chanting competition.”
Malaysia
Despite being mostly a Muslim nation, Malaysia is home to a remarkable number of Indian Hindus. The Lord Krishna Temple in Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur hosts the festival’s pinnacle celebration. The majority of the Indian community congregates in the capital city for a full day of festivities on Janmashtami to partake in the festivities. At midnight on Janmashtami, the infant idol of Sri Krishna receives a sacred bath. The devotees receive food offerings presented to Lord Krishna (Prasad). The sound of mantra chanting fills the temple.
Fiji
In Fiji, where over 25 per cent of the population practices Hinduism, Krishna Janmashtami is known as “Krishna Ashtami”. The eight-day celebration culminates with the birth of Krishna. Devotees congregate in houses and temples to sing devotional songs and recite passages from the Bhagavat Purana.
Trinidad and Tobago
The celebration is significant in Trinidad and Tobago, where more than 60 per cent of the population is of Indian descent. Indentured servants who brought with them a variety of cultural customs introduced the custom to the country in the 18th century.
New Zealand
The Sri Sri Radha Giridhari Temple in Auckland, New Zealand, has become a hub for devotional music and nocturnal prayers.
Australia
Krishna Janmashtami was brought to Australian culture by the Indian diaspora. The festival is observed through community get-togethers, cultural activities, and religious rites.
Hindus living abroad celebrate Krishna Janmashtami with just as much fervour as those in India. Let’s look at countries celebrating Krishna Janmashtami, from the US to Canada and Nepal. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
