Janmashtami is celebrated during the Krishna paksha on Ashtami tithi of the Hindu calendar month. The festival commemorates the birth of lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is not just a religious festival; it is a celebration of life, love, and the eternal bond between the divine and the devotee. It reflects the life and teachings of Krishna from his birth to his playful early years to his role as a divine guide.
Every year, Janmashtami is celebrated in Hamilton with a lot of enthusiasm, evoking the blessings of divinity. This year, as part of Hamilton RWA, I got the opportunity to decorate the temple at Hamilton, which, for me, was the most exciting and divine feeling. This was my humble attempt to create an intricate jhanki of Krishna depicting his birth in jail, followed by his adorable childhood activities and Leela’s. Krishna’s Leela always showcased his wise and courageous youth, which was illustrated through multiple jhanki pictures and idols.
The team chose peacock as the event’s theme as peacock feathers (mor pankh) adorn Krishna’s crown and symbolize Krishna’s connection and presence in our world. It was delightful to see the response from all Hamiltonians where everyone attended the celebration wearing peacock shades of blues, greens, and yellows. The celebration was further enhanced by several devotional songs performed by the Hosla Charitable Trust singers. The atmosphere of the entire Janamshatami celebrations echoed with Krishna bhajans, greenery all around the mandir we created – giving a feel of Vrindavan and Gokul, and a joyful and holy mood all around. It was a divine feeling, and the energy of Hamilton reflected the devotion, love, bliss, and values that Krishna stood for – for living a life full of joy, purpose, truth, and eternal love.
Needless to say, it was a collective effort of the RWA members, Hamilton residents, and special mention of the housekeeping, maintenance, gardeners, and security staff who worked tirelessly to make this celebration a mesmerizing day for everyone. It was a pleasurable and blissful experience to celebrate Janmashtami with such vigor and joy with the community.
