New to Krishna Janmashtami
I would like to do something very small for my first Krishna Janmashtami.
I am low on money, puja supplies and live on my Universities campus. What are some small rituals I can do to celebrate Krishna's birth? Any simple traditions? What are the bare essentials?
Re: New to Krishna Janmashtami
you bring the good old days of janamshtami celebrations when we were kids.
on the eve on janamashtami me and my friends used to get a lot of sand and make landscape with hills, rivers (used to place a pipe under and let the water flow to give the effect of water flowing), jail in which Krishna was born over a mountain and place Bal Krishna Idol in it, and adorn it with trees, plastic birds, small statues of men and women to give it village look.put lights around. people would come visit, have a darshan and also donate money. was enough for few goodies:)
may be you could try that.believe me its a lot of fun
Re: New to Krishna Janmashtami
Just visit a Krshna temple where the entry is free :)
Re: New to Krishna Janmashtami
Quote:
I am low on money, puja supplies and live on my Universities campus. What are some small rituals I can do to celebrate Krishna's birth? Any simple traditions? What are the bare essentials?
Namaste WTyler,
I can understand how hard it can be to observe these religious festivals when you are away at college with not much money or resources. I remember reading from your other post that you are quite a bit away from any Hindu temple, so that's probably not a feasible option. I know during Janmashtami that devotees observe a 24 hour fast, and hold an all night vigil for the birth of Sri Krishna. A murti of baby Krishna is worshipped, and at midnight after He has been bathed and clothed, He is placed inside a cot and sung to with bhajans and hymns. I assume you have internet connection from being able to post here, so maybe you could use Youtube to play songs with. Read from the Bhagavad Gita on this night, or other tales about the life of Krishna. If you can make a small offering, even as small as lighting a lamp and offering water, then do so. If you're not a diabetic and it's not going to cause you harm, then why not try a water fast? Whatever you do, remember that what's most important is the love you bring before Krishna. All other things pale in comparison with this bhakti you have in your heart for Him.
"If one offers Me with love and devotion a leaf, a flower, fruit or water, I will accept it."
Om namah Shivaya
Re: New to Krishna Janmashtami
I too am looking forward to celebrating Janmashtami. I don't have murti of baby Krishna, but I have one of Him as a child (with a tub of butter, of course ;)). I have print images of Him as a baby. They are very easy to find.
Now, as to the fast... the calendar shows August 21 as the holiday. Does that mean that it begins at midnight of Saturday 8/20 into Sunday 8/21? And is the fast from midnight Friday to midnight Saturday? Or is everything forward one day?
At midnight, I'll at least make an offering of light, water, fruit, flowers, prayers.
Re: New to Krishna Janmashtami
Namaste Minotaur,
Unless I'm mistaken, devotees fast all day on Janmashtami up until midnight. Unless you plan on breaking your fast then, I guess you'd end up fasting from 00:00 hours on Saturday 21st to after midnight and into the morning of the next day on Sunday 22nd.
Om namah Shivaya
Re: New to Krishna Janmashtami
Yes I can keep a fast. It may not be waterless, though I will try. I'm also going to check the temple's calendar.
Re: New to Krishna Janmashtami
Namaste,
I'm going to try to do the same. I find that it isn't nearly as hard to observe a 24 hour fast if you're used to fasting occassionally (like every other weekday or something). As there's still a month's practice left, it's a good time to start cutting back everyday. First a 6hr fast, then 12hr, etc. Doesn't seem so difficult anymore then, does it? Good luck with the celebrations!
Om namah Shivaya
Re: New to Krishna Janmashtami
Thanks. Good luck to you too.
Re: New to Krishna Janmashtami
OK, here's the schedule... :)
My co-worker from Gujarat checked with his wife and mother (he is non-observant). Fasting day is 8/21/2011, Janmashtami is 8/22/2011.
I figured out (all by myself, using the temple's calendar!) the 22nd is ashtami, the 8th day after the full moon, in the dark half. At midnight 21/22, ashtami and Rohini overlap, Sri Krishna was born at that conjunction.
I think I may take Janmashtami as a vacation day, especially if I keep the vigil and fast.