(pic extracted from chennai online article Krishna would love to be here: http://www.chennaionline.com/festivalsnreligion/Festivals/kj.asp#)Today is Gokulashtami aka Krishna Jayanthi day throughout India. In the North, this day is referred to as Janmashtami. Most Hindus know about this festival-this day marks the birth of Lord Krishna who was born at mid-nightto King Vasudeva and Queen Devaki. Back in India, this used to be another festival that used to be celebrated in my house with lot of enthusiasm from the women folk.
Last night, as i sat thinking about the whole occasion, i started leafing thro' the famous authentic south indian cookbook byMeenakshi Ammal to pull out some recipes. After another long week at work, i have some enthu to go home and try appam, seedai(haven't done both of these) before. My mom recommends pal payasam, butter and aval as "naivedhiyam" (offering to Lord Krishna) as his favourites.
Vishnu Sahasranamam or Narayaneeyam is recited and the house is decorated with kolams and tiny feet of "Baby Krishna".
Today, as i sit in another part of the world and try to ponder the significance of adhering to these traditions here in US, i have lots of questions that come off the top of my head- Is following all these traditions going to bring me anything? Is it worth the strain on me? Does the thought of the appraoching "Halloween" and pumpkim carving, giving candy to neighbourhood kids etc seem more sensible to follow than going through all the hardships for doing goodies for family and friends here on Janmashtami?
Gokulashtami-Raises a big question mark?
8 comments:
nice post, even here i have doubts over the relevebce of such stuff!
Thanks...i think with changing times, both people in India and in US are going thro this confusing/ confronting values phase..
murukku.hmm..i know..am going to buy some day at the local indian store, even if can't make it
u eat special on special occasions. its as simple as that.
mitr, even in pictures, the cheedai, murukku are so tempting!
Festivals have never been my favourite even in India(although the eatables were and still are!). But it amazes me to see the enthusiasm shown by these locals here about their festivals(Easter, halloween, thanks giving). What is that factor that I missed, I wonder, which did not make my festivals as fun or enjoyable as these?
Mitr,
It is not for us we are making these things. Every effort is worth its cause. Its a celebration since the great Brahman was born on this day as Lord Krishna. Every thing is Him and everything is for Him. It is definitly worth it. Any one verse from Gita would justify all the celebrations and even more. Anyway, good post.
The festival is basically for Tiny Tots at Home...Over the period of time..we might forget the procedures to make thes goodies... So our society has devised a way to preserve these recipes by having yearly sampradayas...
I would say sit back and enjoy Seedai and Murukku...and stop getting confused...
Hi everyone,
thanks for all your different thoughts on celebrating Krishna Jayanthi...i guess it all surmises to the fact that most people enjoy the food delicacies of festivals and God is remembered on these special days on account of that.
Kalakkalaana koruk moruk pathaarthangal.. mmm.. adhaiyellam aduthu saappida eppo koduthu vachirukko..
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