KATHMANDU: Shree Krishna Janmashtami, the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna, is being celebrated by Hindu devotees throughout the country today with devotion and veneration amid a variety of programmes.
According to scriptures, Lord Krishna was born in the midnight of Bhadrakrishna Ashtami as per the lunar calendar during the Dwapar era.
Krishna is considered as the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the protector of human beings from evil, injustice and devilish forces. He is also regarded as the proponent of the three principles of Jnyanayog, Karmayog and Bhaktiyog.
Shree Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated to cherish the good deeds of Lord Krishna for a happy and prosperous life. Lord Krishna, born to Vasudev and Devaki who were held prisoner by Kansa in Mathura, guided humanity on the path of knowledge, truth and immortality, the legend says.
Lord Krishna is also known as ‘Gopal’ for his dedicated service to the cows as a herder. He is also known as ‘Manmohan’ for the melodies he used to play on his flute, charming everyone.
Devotees throng the temples of Lord Krishna including the famous Krishna Mandir in Lalitpur. The renowned and artistic Krishna Mandir made up of stones was built by the then King of Patan, Siddhi Narsingh Malla.
Various religious organisations and institutions celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna by organising colourful processions with the idols of Lord Krishna flanked by decorative portraits.
Devotees, especially women, spend the night chanting prayers and devotional songs, dancing and lighting oil-fed lamps.
Meanwhile, devotees and revellers have thronged Krishna Mandir since early morning today to pay homage to Lord Krishna on the occasion of Shree Krishna Janmashtami.
Hundreds of devotees have already visited the temple for the worship.
For the worship, the devotees have queued up towards the south and north of the temple.
In the past three years, limited number of devotees turned up the famous temple in Patan Durbar Square due to the Covid 9 pandemic.
