ESL / EFL Quiz 342

Janmashtami pooja is the one of the most well known pooja of India. The whole nation celebrates the divine birth of Lord Krishna on this day. All of us wish Shubh Janmashtami to each other and happy birthday to Bal Gopal or child Krishna. The day, indeed, commemorates the auspicious birth of Murlimanohar (name of Lord Krishna as he loved to play flute) on the earth in order to destroy evil things. According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Krishna was born at midnight. Hence, the birth ceremony is also celebrated with great zest and enthusiasm at midnight. Besides other Indian festivals, one of the most divine and pious is Janmashtami pooja. It is celebrated with lots of traditions and customs of the Hindu society. Besides, there are sweets, delectable cuisine, feasting and family gathering. The procession of jhankis is the main attraction of the day. People perform grand janmashtami pooja with different janmashtami pooja items. They do janmashtami arti and sing varied janmashtami bhajans. There are many people who observe fast on this day and eat at midnight only after the janmashtami pooja is over. Puja The puja begins early in the morning when the devotees give a bath to the Krishna idol with sacred Ganga jal (water collected from River Ganga). The idol is then adorned with new clothes generally in red, yellow and orange colors. These clothes are decked with stone or other precious jewelry. Jewelry is also put on the idol. Then, the idol is offered different food items or bhog . It can vary from milk and milk products, fruit, kheer, pedha. After this the special Krishna puja is performed. Diyas are lighted and the house is illuminated. Devotees sing aarti and bells are rung. Some devotees read out the 108 names of the Lord. The cradle of the Bal Gopal (child God) is rocked and conches are blown. Once the entire puja is over, the devotees break their fast by having panchamrit .