Category: Krishna Jayanthi

In Kuwait

It is also called as Krishna Janmashtami (Birth of Lord Krishna) or Gokulashtami. It usually comes towards end of Aug or early Sep. My dad was born on this day. His favorite sweet is mysore pak which my Mom used to make and taken over totally by the lovely lady of the house. These days even my son loves it…genes I guess….I am not going to write about the festival as Hindus celebrate this widely all over the world and there are tons of articles in the internet to browse, read and understand.  

Since last year Krishna Jayanthi was celebrated with much fanfare at home, Vidya wanted to make it even more grandeur and special this time. Last year Dad and Mom were also at home and Anirud was about 1 year and 4 months old. Balu, my friend, had also come home since Kalps was in India at that time. These are beautiful moments where the child prays solemnly to God, plays with the God, treating him as his friend, giving that aching and loving look, seeking forgiveness from mommy dear and runs amuck with absolute naughtiness just like the real Krishna.

This year he was 2 years and 4 months old. But unfortunately he had become sick during this time and was having high temperature. Though her spirits were dampened by the child’s condition, she still had her own plans. Never wanting to compromise for her child, she wanted to make every effort to make the day and event memorable. She embodies the true tigress spirit of protecting her child whatever be circumstance but at the same time internally she is frail too. 

As the pooja is typically celebrated in the evening, she had applied the feet of Krishna in our home, a sign of welcoming Lord Krishna into our abode to bless us.

She then woke up the kid and dressed him by wearing a white pajama, poi poonal, namam, bangles and finally the symbolic preserve of Krishna, his flute. She also tied one of her dupattas around his waist to give a more authentic and rustic feel of how Krishna would look like.

Though down with fever and crying initially, he was also enchanted with his new look and overcame the illness with a sportive smile and fighting spirit. I was reluctant to subject the child to such things when he is down with fever but momma was quite adamant to make it happen. And he obliged as well.

He danced, pranced, played flute, chased me down and beat me with the flute…he loves to do that all the time…I am his favorite punching bag. Many a times I have told his mother why don’t we look and buy him a punching bag and she does refute and says why we need another one when you are there. That’s more fun for him as he enjoys it.

When you look back in time and see these photos, you realize how adorable little Krishna was as a child…these are truly fascinating and heartwarming moments that is once lost, never regained until the arrival of another child in your home…innocence is always alluded with childlike…and truly so…as there is absolutely no other alternative to it.

Ultimately we all prayed for the well being of all, ate the sweets and other dishes made for the occasion and rested at home.

Celebrations in Kuwait

Balu and Kalpana visited us to celebrate Krishna Jayanthi at our home with us…Amazingly caring and loving folks who made it easy for us to settle down easily and comfortably in Kuwait…that’s what true friends are for ain’t it…

2011 celebration was in India. It was on 23rd Aug and we celebrated Dad’s 80th starting birthday with Homam etc…more on that in a separate note.

2012 was a muted celebration in Kuwait as we just completed one year of Mom’s untimely demise.

2013 we celebrated in our new home in Kuwait. Vidya tried hanging one of the decorative pieces and asked Anirud to do action as if he was breaking the Butter Pot…..celebrated with much fanfare in North India….

2014 we returned to India…they came down in May and I arrived in Sep…so am not sure how it was celebrated…no photos…

2015 celebrations in India

In the name of Krishna, we eat all these home made delicacies ( சீடை (உப்பு, வெல்லம்), தட்டை, நெய் அப்பம், சொஜ்ஜி அப்பம், அவல் ) …(extra fittings like வடை and பாயாசம்..etc…prepared based on specific requests and situation, state of mind) put on weight…especially when you add a dash of butter to the already sweet dish…to be honest, it does taste delicious and yummy and swirls down your throat and when it finally settles into the intestines…they bulge out bursting at seams…making us look like Ganesha…..(I am not belittling another favorite Lord here….just alluding to his belly)….not like the spirited and youthful Krishna prancing and playing with the lovely ladies of Mathura…our Krishna has also grown up so no further appearances in photos any more….