The festival of Janmashtami celebrates the birth of lord Krishna on the eighth (ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada. This occasion was observed in Apex Athena on September 7, 2023. This year marked the 5250th birth anniversary of Lord Krishna and it was grandly celebrated in the society with great enthusiasm and zeal. Ardent devotees observed a fast on this day until the sunrise next day. The residents sang and danced to bhajans and kirtan on this auspicious occasion and as the clock struck midnight, everyone stood in front of the Lord Krishna idol in his Lado Gopal avatar placed in a cradle, dressed up in their best with hands folded in prayer recited the Krishana Aarti. The idol of Ladoo Gopal was abluted with panchamrit, a holy bath made with dahi, milk, ghee, sugar and honey. After the rituals and worship, the birth anniversary was celebrated further with the distribution of the special dhaniya panjiri prasad and panchamrit alongwith Chappan Bhog that was offered to the idol.
The celebration of this festival was concluded with the Chhati Puja, celebrated after 6 days of
Janamashtmi, after retiring the idol of Baal Gopal from bath with panchamrit it was dressed in new clothes. The idol was duly adorned while the residents celebrated in joy and devoted their prayer and well wishes in the form of dance and bhajan. The prasad of Maakhan-Mishri was then offered to the idol. A preparation of curry rice, which is considered auspicious on this day, was also prepared and distributed amongst the residents as the sacred food.
