Krishna Janmashtami being observed today
ITAHARI: AUGUST 30 – Krishna Janmashtami is being celebrated today. Krishna Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.
Krishna Janmashtami — an important festival that falls on the eighth day (Ashtami) of Krishna Pakshya in the month of Bhadra — is being celebrated across the country today by people from the Hindu community.
It is believed that Krishna — biological son of Devaki and Vasudeva, raised by Yashoda and Nanda Baba — killed the ruthless King Kansa, who was his maternal uncle. According to the Hindu belief, by doing so Krishna saved the people of Mathura.
Celebrations
They observe Janmashtami by fasting until midnight. The devotees recite the Bhagavad Gita and sing religious songs called bhajans and kirtans. The temples of Krishna are decorated. Shops, posters and houses carry Krishna motifs.
Devotees throng various temples of Lord Krishna, including the famous Krishna Mandir to offer prayers and worship the deity as a part of the grand celebrations since early morning.
Likewise, various groups also organise religious processions with children dressed as Lord Krishna and Radha.
Gaura Festival
Meanwhile, the Gaura festival is also being observed in the Far-Western region today.
The Gaura Festival is celebrated by the Hindu peoples residing in the especially most of middle-western & far-western parts of Nepal. Gaura festival mostly falls in the month of Bhadra, according to the Nepali calendar.
The festival begins from Bhadra Krishna Panchami of the Nepali calendar and lasts for four days. On the first day, idols of Gaura are established in a field and adorned with jewellery.
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The idol which is the representation of Goddess Parvati is then brought to the residence of locals in a procession. Deuda songs and dances are the main attraction of the festival.
Celebrations
The main theme of this festival is to worship the goddess Gauri. Gaura is celebration starts with Biruda Panchami (the fifth day of the lunar calendar). On the day of Biruda Panchami, married women soak five cereals also known as Pancha Biruda following specified rituals.
Ashtami (eighth day according to the lunar calendar) is another most important day of Gaura. On this day, there is prayers of Gauri and Maheshwor (Parbati and Shiva). In the afternoon, married women who soak Biruda, offer a blessing to their keens for good health and prosperity. Biruda. It is supposed to give them long life and health.
The deuda dance is a major part of this festival in which participants hold hands and form a circle as they stepped into traditional music. Apart from the many ceremonies that happen during this festival, it is the occasion for married women to put on the sacred thread. The deuda dance is a major part of the festivities in which participants hold hands and form a circle as they step to traditional music.
