Friday 14 August 2009

SRI KRISHNA JAYANTHI

Sri Krishna was born in prison at midnight while it rained and thundered, and streaks of lightning illuminated the sky. And so on 'Sri Krishna Jayanthi' or Janamashtami we worship him at midnight or as close to midnight as we can. And insist it will rain on that night. But yesterday it did not, and we are still sweltering in this unusual August heat.

Krishna is worshipped in his many forms, from that of an innocent baby to an adult who can preach the Gita. Children just love him as the mischievous child Krishna who with his friends ran around stealing butter and curds from the pots of the gopis, and teasing them. There are many songs that recount his mischievous deeds, and children made up as little Krishna dance to these songs.

South Indian homes decorate the front yards and floors of their homes with kolams for all festivals and celebrations. While powder is used for the ground outside, wet rice paste is used to draw the kolams inside. For Krishna Jayanthi it is customary to draw the little feet of Baby Krishna going from the front door to the place where the pooja is to be conducted. It looks beautiful and children love to place their feet on the drawn feet and pretend they are Krishna.

It was only recently I learnt why we draw the feet of little Krishna. Running away after breaking pots and stealing the butter and curds, Little Krishna used to leave these tiny tell tale foot prints, it is said. And we replicate them in our homes.

25 comments:

Priya dharshini said...

nice blog...

Gowri Mohanakrishnan said...

Thank you! Brought back memories of many happy Janamashtamis when the children were at home!

Anya Padyam said...

Lovely pictures and a nice description!

kolams are really awesome!

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Thank you for a most interesting read, I enjoyed it very much.


Yvonne.

Meera's World said...

beautiful kolam,and what a sweet story behind those cute lil marks!

Indrani said...

prints are so adorable. Great post, very interesting.

Subadra said...

Thank you for a great post. I miss my back home celebrations at my parents' and inlaws' home. I try to do the celebrations with two my children here, and my youngest/son always makes the feet patterns:)Only this year, I noticed that his feet is a bit too big for baby Krishna:)
Subadra in CA
http://bookslinksandmore.blogspot.com/

Unknown said...

Cute kolams Raji, I m sure you have perfected this art of drawing fabulous kolams.

Swarna said...

So - celebrate again next month (Sep 11). And thanks for that bit about the reason for drawing the feet. Hail Indian ethos!

Rajesh said...

Nice narration. The little feet on the floor is beautiful way of depicting Krishna coming to one' home.

Trendsetters said...

my daughter left foot prints with the rice flour paste ..it was fun
happy krishna jayanthi

Capt. Anup Murthy said...

I was in Mysore during Janmashtami and we did a small pooja that night, although not at midnight, as dad is ailing and was feeling tired. We had thunderous rains during pooja that night and the power went out (not unusual for Mysore-electricity out at least 4+ hours a day now). The little shrine was all lit up with diyas. It was magical, thanks in part to the Electricity department!

Gowri Mohanakrishnan said...

Did I tell you how beautiful the pictures are? The little feet are adorable.

pradeep said...

Such a lovely festival. A good short write up. Just re-created the mood :)

Unknown said...

Interesting. Krishna would love the patter of feet of little ones who come to worship!

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

Priya, thank you for visiting.

Just someone, Yvonne, Meera's world,Indrani, Gardenia, T and S, Swarna and Rajesh - thanks for visiting and leaving comments.

Captain Anup - your experience makes me feel the divinity of the day. It had to rain, of course; here it rained the next day.

Sravani and Trendsetters - such a nice way of doing the feet - using the little ones'!

Pradeep - thank you.

Keats The Sunshine Girl - what a nice thought!

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Raji:)

Very interesting information and lovely photos. Many thanks.

Have a nice day:)
Joseph

Devika Jyothi said...

Very nice read, Raaji :)

wishes,
devika

Anonymous said...

This is typical Iyer way of insulting Krishna.

Even gandhi went to jail to get freedom. With out that you won't you won't have freedom to make such a post or even start a useless blog.

Subs said...

nice :)

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

Devaki and Subs, thanks for the nice comments.

Anonymous, thank you for the refreshing comments. I would liked to know your name,too.

Swarna said...

Just something I read in the paper this week.
Krishna's feet - drawn by simply drawing two 8 figures and then the toes - this is also said to mean that the ashtakshhara mantram 'Om Namo Narayanaya' is being welcomed into one's life.
from The Hindu (16 Sep 2009 Religion column)

Suchitra said...

Very beautiful kolam and little feet ! I have grown up enjoying this festival and also the ritual of drawing little feet ( and not to mention the various goodies to eat !! )

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