Janmashtami (Smarta) in United Kingdom

When did the Janmashtami (Smarta) in United Kingdom start?

About Janmashtami (Smarta) in United Kingdom Holiday

It is that time of joy and happiness once again! Janmashtami (Smarta) is celebrated in the United Kingdom and it is a vibrant and colorful holiday that celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. This year, Janmashtami (Smarta) will be celebrated on the 6th of September, 2023.

On this special day, Lord Krishna’s birth is celebrated with great devotion in households all across the UK. People gather in their homes and chant religious hymns and shlokas to honor Lord Krishna. Then, they offer prayers to the deity and seek his blessings for money, health and happiness.

The celebrations of Janmashtami (Smarta) also involve dancing, singing, and savouring some of the best delicacies and sweets. Special poojas such as Nand Maha Pooja, Matki-Fod and Dahi- Handi are conducted in many Hindu temples around the country. Prasadam (blessed food) is also distributed among the devotees. Janmashtami (Smarta) is definitely is one of the most important festivals celebrated around UK.

Janmashtami (Smarta) in United Kingdom

History and Origin

Janmashtami (Smarta) in the United Kingdom is a day of celebration in honour of the Hindu god Krishna’s birthday, making it one of the most important holidays in Hinduism. It is celebrated on the Ashtami of the Krishna Paksha (eighth day of the dark fortnight) in the month of Shravan. This year the holiday falls on 2023-09-06. The festival has been celebrated here for as long as anyone can remember.

The origin of Janmashtami (Smarta) in the United Kingdom dates back to the ancient Puranas, which explain the many stories of Krishna’s life and his divine powers. These ancient scriptures tell the story of how Krishna was born as an incarnation of Vishnu in prison, and how he defeated many demons and vanquished evil.

It is believed that Janmashtami (Smarta) in the United Kingdom denotes the beginning of one of the oldest and most widely celebrated festivals in Hinduism. It is said to be one of the greatest Hindu festivals, and is deeply rooted in millions of people’s minds, particularly in India. The festival is observed throughout the United Kingdom, with thousands of devotees making a pilgrimage to temples and temples such as those in Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow, each year, not only to worship but also to celebrate the birth of the beloved god.

Significance and Meaning

Janmashtami (Smarta) holds much significance and importance for Hindus as it marks the birth of their beloved god Krishna and is celebrated with great enthusiasm and worship throughout the United Kingdom. It is a day of prayer, fasting, and festivities, as devotees offer puja (prayer) at temples and perform various rituals in honour of Lord Krishna.

The significance of Janmashtami (Smarta) lies in the fact that it celebrates the human incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and Krishna is seen as the ideal man, whose life should be emulated. It also celebrates the universal theme of Good over Evil, as it is believed that when Krishna took birth the world was filled with darkness, and his heroic acts and teachings led mankind towards prosperity and salvation.

Traditions and Celebrations

Janmashtami (Smarta) is a festive occasion and is celebrated with great enthusiasm throughout the United Kingdom. It is typically celebrated at midnight on the day of the Ashtami of Krishna Paksha. The traditional festivities include puja (prayer) and offerings of flowers, food, and incense to the gods, and the devotees sing devotional songs and dance the raas throughout the night.

Traditional Janmashtami (Smarta) celebrations also include baby showers for Krishna (where fruits, nuts, and sweets are offered to the newborn) as well as other activities like participating in the dahi handi (a pot filled with curd and butter that is suspended from a rope and broken by groups of men) and jhulana (swinging of a cradle with a doll of Krishna).

Geographical Spread

Janmashtami (Smarta) is celebrated throughout the United Kingdom, with the biggest and most spectacular celebrations being held in major cities like London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Birmingham, and Glasgow. Although celebrations vary from region to region, they typically encompass puja (prayer), singing, dancing, offerings, and other devotional activities.

In London, Janmashtami (Smarta) celebrations begin early in the morning with puja, and continue throughout the day with singing of devotional songs, dancing, and participating in activities such as dahi handi and jhulana. The highlight of the day is the Mahabhishekam of the deity in the evening, where the deity is adorned with flowers and ornaments and smeared with various herbal pastes.

In addition to the major cities, Janmashtami (Smarta) is also celebrated in smaller towns and villages throughout the United Kingdom, though the festivities might be slightly more subdued than in the cities.

Modern Day Observations

Janmashtami (Smarta) has seen many changes through the years, but the core traditions remain the same. However, the modern day celebrations include modern twists as well, such as live streaming of the Mahabhishekam ceremony, offering of digital diyas and posters of deities, and even virtual temple visits. There are also a number of events and programs held in major cities, such as musical performances, cultural dances, and art exhibitions.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

• Janmashtami (Smarta) has been celebrated in the United Kingdom for many years and has garnered tremendous popularity due to its vibrant cultural festivities.

• According to Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was born in the midnight hour of Shravan Krishna Ashtami.

• The day before Janmashtami (Smarta), devotees observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, and break it when the new moon appears.

• It is believed that during Janmashtami (Smarta), Krishna was born in the prison of his uncle, Kansa, the king of Mathura.

• Janmashtami (Smarta) is associated with the breaking of the dahi handi, where people form human pyramids and attempt to break the handi (an earthen pot filled with curd and butter).

• During Janmashtami (Smarta), thousands of devotees gather in Mathura, the birth place of Krishna, to take part in the celebrations and offerings.

• Janmashtami (Smarta) is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti, Gokulashtami, and Ashtami Rohini.

Holiday Wishes

1. May the joys of Janmashtami (Smarta) fill your life with everlasting bliss.
2. Wishing you faith, love, and eternal happiness on this auspicious day.
3. May the blessings of Lord Krishna bring you joy, serenity, and prosperity.
4. Wishing you and your family a glorious Janmashtami (Smarta) celebration.
5. May your devotion and dedication be blessed with the divine grace of Krishna.

Holiday Messages

1. May Krishna shower you with the choicest of his blessings this Janmashtami (Smarta).
2. May the divine light of Krishna guide you always and protect you from all harms.
3. May the awesome power of Lord Krishna bring joy and prosperity to you and your family.
4. May Krishna take away all your sorrows and bring in his blessings of joy and happiness.
5. May the teachings of Lord Krishna fill your heart with love and compassion.

Holiday Quotes

1. “A little spark of divinity lives in each one of us, which we need to nurture and develop” – Sri Krishna.
2. “O Arjuna! Eventually, the pleasure you derive from the small material things is momentary, but the pleasure derived from the Self is forever” – Sri Krishna.
3. “When one’s intelligence is purified by the practice of Hearing and Thinking and evenmeditation, one revolves around Lord Krishna”– Sri Krishna.
4. “Seeing Me everywhere and all around, do not grieve; for I am not separated from you and I am always near”– Sri Krishna.
5. “When the mind dwells on that glorious form of mine which I have revealed to you, set free from joy, fear, and anger, absorbed in me”– Sri Krishna.

Other Popular Holiday Info

One of the popular traditions of Janmashtami (Smarta) festivities in the United Kingdom is the Gita Jayanti, where devotees gather in the temples to recite the Bhagavad Gita and sing its verses. The Gita Jayanti is a fundamental part of the Hindu religions, and is considered to be an essential part of the celebration of Janmashtami (Smarta).

Another popular tradition of Janmashtami (Smarta) is the Utsav (procession) in which the idols of Lord Krishna, Radha, and other gods and goddesses are taken on a procession through the streets. People from different communities come together with devotees from all around the country and take part in the festivities, sharing food, music, and prayers.

In recent years, there have been an increasing number of expatriates who have chosen to celebrate Janmashtami (Smarta) in the United Kingdom, and there have been efforts to provide them with culturally relevant information and resources to make them feel welcomed and included in the festivities. There are many organisations such as the Hindu Council of Britain and the British Hindu Council that are actively engaging with expatriates to help them celebrate Janmashtami (Smarta).