Janmashtami in United Kingdom

When did the Janmashtami in United Kingdom start?

About Janmashtami in United Kingdom Holiday

Welcome to Janmashtami in the United Kingdom! We are delighted to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna in our wonderful country this year.

The Hindu festival of Janmashtami marks the occasion of the birth of Lord Krishna, the eighth incarnation of the Hindu god- Vishnu. Taking place on the seventh of September, 2023; it is an important festival of joy and celebration for Hindus all over the world.

During Janmashtami, temples across the UK will host exciting festivities in honour of Lord Krishna. Street processions, special religious discourses, hymns and group prayers will be organised as worshippers from all denominations come together to observe the occasion. In addition to this, dancing and singing of bhajans is also a traditional form of revelling in the auspicious festivities.

We invite you to celebrate and honour the beloved Lord Krishna this Janmashtami. Join us in celebrating his life and all that he stands for- love, forgiveness, justice and harmony.

Janmashtami in United Kingdom

History and Origin

Janmashtami is an ancient Hindu festival which dates back to the ancient Vedic times. The festival marks the birth of the Hindu god Krishna, who is considered an incarnation of the god Vishnu. It is celebrated throughout India and it is celebrated in many parts of the world including the United Kingdom.

The celebration of Janmashtami in India begins on the 8th day of the bright fortnight in the Hindu calendar month of Shravan (July-August). It is celebrated with great fanfare, where people dress in traditional attire and observe the festivities with prayer and enthusiasm. Janmashtami is celebrated with special vigor in the temples of Lord Krishna and several devotees observe fasts before the birth of Lord Krishna, as it believed that this soul purifies body and mind.

In the United Kingdom, Janmashtami tends to be more of a religious event rather than a secular celebration. Janmashtami is much more prominently celebrated in North London, Leicester, Birmingham, and Manchester, but there are celebrations that take place in areas throughout the entire country. In recent years, the event has seen a surge in popularity beyond the Hindu community itself, leading to an increasing number of non-Hindus participating in the festivities.

Significance and Meaning

For Hindus all over the world, Janmashtami is a special day that celebrates the joyous occasion of the birth of their beloved Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna is considered to be a savior and a protector, and Hindu tradition states that he took many forms to protect the innocent from the depravations of evil forces. As such, Janmashtami is seen as the celebration of the coming of the divine deity on earth, and represents a day of immense significance.

Among Hindus, Janmashtami also has a spiritual significance. It is believed that if one attends the puja and makes offerings to the almighty according to the Hindu traditions, the Lord will grant peace and satisfaction to the devotee’s life.

Traditions and Celebrations

Janmashtami in United Kingdom is celebrated in a multitude of ways. People take part in religious ceremonies, sing devotional bhajans, offer prayers, perform special aratis, and indulge in fasting as part of the ritualistic activities. These fasting and devotional activities are generally held at the early hours of the morning, often before the sun rises.

The highlight of the celebrations is Garba, an ancient folk dance, popular among the devotees of Lord Krishna. It is a traditional Hindu dance performed in a circle with music and colourful costumes. The Janmashtami Garba is a spectacular sight in the United Kingdom, featuring a grand procession of dancers in the streets.

Devotional Pujas and Aarti

On the day of Janmashtami, a special puja is organized and conducted in the temples of Lord Krishna in United Kingdom, wherein devotees have the opportunity to offer their prayers to their beloved Lord. The puja includes special offerings and chanting of mantras. This is followed by abhishek, a holy ritual wherein the idol of Lord Krishna is bathed with milk, honey, and other fragrant liquids. Afterwards, devotees are served prasad for blessings.

Dahi Handi and Special Prasad

One of the most popular highlights of Janmashtami in UK is the ‘Dahi Handi’. This is a fun and playful game wherein several men form a human pyramid and try to break a pot filled with butter, hung at a considerable height. As they break the pot, the butter is offered as prasad to the devotees of the Lord.

Geographical Spread

Janmashtami is celebrated with much enthusiasm in North London, Leicester, Birmingham, and Manchester, in UK. Each region celebrates the festival with unique customs and rituals. In Leicester, Janmashtami falls on the 8th day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu calendar month of Shravan. On the night before this day, devotees visit the temple to observe midnight ceremonies of prayers and chanting of mantras.

In Birmingham, Janmashtami is celebrated in traditional style with a lot of fervor. The mandirs in the city organize special poojas, and people gather here for the celebrations. Aartis are performed in the evening and sweets are distributed among the gathering.

In Manchester, the celebration begins a few days before the Janmashtami festival. Special pujas and rituals are held every day. On the day of Janmashtami, the temples are open from early morning and people gather in huge numbers to take part in the festivities. The celebrations culminate at midnight with the chanting of mantras and aartis, after which prasad is distributed.

Modern Day Observations

In recent years, Janmashtami has become increasingly popular in the United Kingdom, with more and more people, both Indians and non-Indians, joining in the celebrations. Temples in the UK are now much more crowded on the day of Janmashtami and many devotees observe fasts even outside the temples.

Another trend in the modern-day UK Janmashtami is the increasing participation by young people. The festivals now also feature social events such as Janmashtami Mela, where people of all ages get together for fun and food. There are also Janmashtami kite-flying competitions and traditional performances such as garba and dandiya raas.

Interesting Facts or Trivia

– Janmashtami is also known as ‘Gokulashtami’ and ‘Krishnashtami’ among Hindu devotees.

– According to Hindu mythology, Janmashtami marks the day when Lord Krishna had descended from heaven onto the earth.

– On the day of Janmashtami, speacial pujas are held in temples and devotees can offer milk and butter as part of the ritualistic offerings.

– Kite flying is one the popular activities held on the day of Janmashtami in the United Kingdom.

– Janmashtami in United Kingdom is also marked by numerous social events such as melas and kite flying competitions.

– In the UK, Janmashtami is celebrated on the 8th day of the bright fortnight in the Shravan month of the Hindu calendar, which usually falls between the months of July and August.

– According to Hindu tradition, Lord Krishna was born in the midnight hour, which is why devotees gather in temples to perform special poojas and aartis in the late hours.

– The festival of Janmashtami is known to bring people closer to each other and strengthen social bonds.

Holiday Wishes

1. May Lord Krishna bless you and your family with wealth, prosperity, and health on this Janmashtami.

2. May the spirituals and cultural heritage of Janmashtami bring joy and happiness to your life.

3. Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful and blessed Janmashtami.

4. May Lord Krishna shower his blessings upon you on this auspicious festival.

5. Wishing you a joyous Janmashtami filled with hope and peace.

Holiday Messages

1. May the fervor and joy of Janmashtami bring peace and harmony to your life.

2. On this lovely occasion of Janmashtami, May Lord Krishna fill your life with joy and wonder.

3. May the blessings of Lord Krishna bring success and happiness to your life.

4. On this auspicious day of Janmashtami, may peace and joy surround you and fill your life happiness.

5. Wishing you a blissful Janmashtami and prosperity for you and your family.

Holiday Quotes

1. “Those who are free from unreasonable attachments to impersonal sense pleasures and who are in trance even amidst the material activities are near to Me.” -Lord Krishna

2. “One who shouts my name and does not differentiate between friends and foes, claiming me equally for all, is the one who is deserving of my love.” -Lord Krishna

3. “The mind is restless and uncontrollable, but through practice and detachment it can be trained and tempered just as the wildest of horses can be tamed.” -Lord Krishna

4. “One has to control the mind rather than allowing the mind to control one. Anybody who controls his mind becomes the master of all powers, and he enjoys peerless peace.” -Lord Krishna

5. “You do not know what is in store for you in the future, so do your duty today, and leave the rest of worry to me.” -Lord Krishna

Other Popular Holiday Info

Janmashtami is a festival dedicated to the birth of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna, who is regarded as an incarnation of the god Vishnu and a protector. The festival is celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm in UK with a multitude of religious and cultural activities, such as puja, aarti, fasting, devotional bhajans, and traditional folk dance like Garba.

Janmashtami in United Kingdom is a time for reflection and contemplation. Devotees come together to celebrate the life of Krishna and reflect on their own lives. The sentiment of ‘sharing and caring’ is appreciated as families, friends, and the entire neighbourhood come together to enjoy the day.

Finally, Janmashtami is a special time of the year providing a perfect opportunity to foster unity and equality among people. On this day, everyone, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion come together in the spirit of devotion and harmony to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.