Happy birthday Krishna!

It is Krishna's birthday today. Don't get me wrong! Its not my husband's birthday but the day which marks the birth of Lord Krishna, the eight avatar of Lord Vishnu.

Who doesn't like him? His smile, his attitude and the compassion shown to his fellow people is remembered by every household till date. The circumstances he was born with and the way he shaped his life going forward is an inspiration to draw from. As a son, a cowherd, a brother, a charioteer, a messenger, a guru and the beloved of the gopi's. Throughout his life he enacted so many roles spreading joy and love in every way he could.

Gopal, Madhav, Yadav, Govind, Gokul, Ghanshyam, Jagmohan, Jananrdhan, Keshav, Murali, Mukund... Looks like a name list for a new born baby boy right? These are a very few names by which he is referred to and worshiped all over the world. He was the one who gave meaning to every relation he handled along his life. So much so that even today every good relation is compared, to the one he had with his fellow people. A good friendship is compared to Krishna and Sudhama. Brotherhood is compared to that of Krishna and Balrama's. A Brother sister's sweet fights are compared to that of Krishna and Subhadra while Krishna and Draupadhi are referred to when it comes to brother protecting his sister. A good couple is compared to with Krishna and Radha. And then, the most noble relation is between a teacher and a student. Krishna is referred to as Jagathguru, the one who enlightens the entire universe with his Gita.

As I write about Krishna in Bangalore today, I recall my hometown Udupi which is famous again for Krishna. Commonly referred to as Udupi Shri Krishna. Although this year it wont be celebrated today based on the calendar, Shri Krishna Janmastami or simply Astami in Udupi is a very big deal. City of Udupi is decorated with lightings and hoardings from a month. Every house prepares a range of delicacies for the Lord including chakkuli's, variety of laddu's, sweets and rice pudding called as Manni in local language. It is the time when you can see little kids dressed up in Krishna and Radha costumes. A treat to watch these munchkins eating butter and running around competing for Muddu Krishna contests. At the temple premises a range of competitions are held including essay, drawing, quiz, devotional songs, bhagavat Gita reciting and so on. A clay model of Krishna is carried in golden Chariot around the city premises witnessed by hundreds. Among so may contests there are mainly two competitions that steal the show. One being the classic Mosaru Kudike or Dahi Handi that symbolizes Krishna's actions during his childhood in Gokul. Second being the pride of Udupi, the world famous HuliVesha. Troops of men are costumed to look like Tigers along with a band of drummers performing the Tiger dance. A dance form that demands tremendous stamina. Each troop is ranked on the basis on their dance and skills exhibited by its artists. Skills include fire breathing, hand walking, handstands, gymnastic moves, picking money from mouth by bending backwards and lifting Akkimudi (a rice bag weighing 42 kilos) with one's teeth and throwing it backwards. Visitors across the world visit the temple premises on the day of Astami and the next day called as Vittal Pindi to witness the grandeur.

Festivals are an integral part of our culture. In these uncertain times may the birthday boy, Lord Krishna steal away all the negativities and light the lamp of happiness on this holy day. Happy Janmastami!