Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar (reincarnation) of Lord Vishnu.
Janmashtami celebrations include dance-drama enactments of Krishna’s life, ‘Ratri Jagaran’ (night prayer vigil) – devotional singing through the midnight when Krishna was born, ‘upavasa’ (fasting), and a ‘Mahotsav’ (festival) on the following day.
People also decorate cradles and place Lord Krishna's idol in it and where possible they decorate children as Lord Krishna.
The most popular images of Krishna are depicted as a playful joyous child enjoying butter churned at home and as an adult, playing flute.
Krishna gave the vital message of ‘Bhagwad Gita’ (literally translated as ‘The Song of the Lord’), which is a 700-verse Hindu scripture dated to the 2nd Century BCE and is a guiding principle for Hindus. It’s core message has 3 themes – ‘jnana’ (knowledge), ‘karma’ (action) and ‘bhakti’ (devotion).
At Luton’s Janamashtami Celebrations held on 19th Aug’22 Mr Kanti Lad, President of Shree Sanatan Sewa Samaj Luton Hindu Mandir said, “Lord Krishna's message of Karmayoga is a call to focus on our responsibilities rather than caring for our rewards. This spirit of working for the common good has been evident in the way all our community champions have been serving those in need, during and even after the pandemic.”
Mr. Dhansukh Panchal, Vice President of Hindu Mandir said, “After Covid lockdowns, we are delighted to be able to congregate and celebrate Lord Krishna’s birth in reasonable numbers, but we must not forget to spend time in reflecting on Lord Krishna’s message and teachings about the purpose and meaning of our life on this planet earth.”
Luton Hindu Community Ambassador and also the General Secretary of the Hindu Mandir, Mr Yogesh Mistry said, “Our ‘Dharma’ (religious obligations) are to carry out the ‘Karma’ – the duties without the desire for reward.” He quoted Lord Krishna saying to his devotee, Arjuna: “Thy business is with action only, never with its fruits: so let not fruit of action be thy motive, nor be thou to inaction attached.” (II. 47) This clearly means that not acting in favour of justice and righteousness, is not even an option.
Mr Mistry added “People may have slight differences in understanding or interpreting the meaning or use of the terms – Dharma & Karma, but it thrives off the same basic concept which is to help create a world order that is in harmony with the cosmos, a world order that is built on justice, fairness, equality and equity, a world order that is built by causing no harm to ‘anyone’ or ‘anything’ – whether animals or even environment & ecology.”
At the evening prayers in the Temple, the words echoed – “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah” – These are Sanskrit words from a Hindu prayer meaning – May all the living beings be happy, prosperous and at peace!
GRASSROOTS, Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) & Near Neighbours Programme sent greetings and best wishes to Hindu communities in Luton celebrating Janamashtami - Lord Krishna’s Birth.
Mr & Mrs Pravin & Nalini Shah offering prayers at Lord Krishna’s birth celebrations at Shree Sanatan Sews Samaj Hindu Mandir (Temple), Lewsey Farm on 19th Aug’22.