Significance of Gokulashtami
Posted on: 27/Oct/2017 3:41:43 PM
During Janmashtami, Hindus have the practice of fasting. They worship lord Krishna all night and stay wake up till midnight. Special prayers and Poojas are performed for the lord who is believed to have born on Janmashtami. In temples and homes, one could find little Krishna’s images and idols placed in swings and cradles. The devotees flock up in the midnight for devotional songs, dance and they share gifts among each other.
Gokulashtami or Gokula Ashtami is the birthday celebration of Lord Krishna. It is celebrated and enjoyed with reverence across South India. Beautiful flower Kolams are drawn to adorn the entrance of every home and on the Lord’s shrine. In praise of the lord, many devotional songs like Geetha Govindam are played or sung. Footprints of the Lord Krishna are draw using rice batter. These footprints start from the main entrance of a home and passes on till the Pooja shrine. It is an indication of the lord’s arrival to the house.
The recitation of Slogans and devotional songs in Andhra Pradesh is one of the traits of this festival. Well, one cannot miss out the fun and joy of dressing up the little ones in our houses as Lord Krishna. Girls will be dressed up as Radha and boys as Krishna and they are made to visit their neighbors and friends and relatives.
Different fruits, snacks and sweets, especially Rava Ladoo, Ladoo, etc. are prepared for the lord and distributed among neighbors and friends. Fasting is also observed in Andhra Pradesh as well.
