Krishna Jamasthami is one of the most celebrated festivals in the Hindu worl and especially in Nepal.
To celebrate the birthday of this popular Hindu god, devotees flock to Krishna temples all over Nepal; Kathmandu Valley's Krishna Mandir in Patan Durbar Square which is a 20 minute drive from Hotel Roadhouse and Roadhouse Cafe is the center of celebrations and is thronged by a large number of devotees who gather at night to pay homage beyond midnight.
Even during the day, hordes of devotees visit the temple to pray and make offerings. Krishna is a much loved charismatic god head.Hindus believe him to be the 8th reincarnation of Vishnu, who is the third member of the Trimurti -- Bramha, Vishnu and Mahesh.
Krishna is believed to have been born in 3228 BCE in a village in Mathura which today lies in Uttar Pradesh, India. He is believed to have built the port city of Dwarka which later was swallowed up by the sea. Another city exists by that same name in present day state of Gujarat in India. A city made of stones has been discovered submerged near present day Dwarka.
Krishna is the hero of the legendary Hindu epic, the Mahabharat. The Bhagwatgita is the epic sermon Krishna gives to Arjuna before the start of the final battle in Kuruchhetra. The saga of Krishna has been told and retold through millions of books, balads, bhajans (hymes), dramas, tv serials and cinema.
Krishna was born in the middle of a stormy night in Mathura to Devaki and Basudeva. Right after his birth, Basudeva took Krishna to Gokul, despite the storm, and gave him to village chief Nandalal and his wife Yasodha for safekeeping. Thus begins the saga of Lord Krishna.
To be continued
