The preparations for the birth celebration of Lord Krishna, an avatar of Lord Vishnu, have begun.
According to the Hindu calendar, Lord Krishna was born on the eighth day of the Bhadra month, under the Rohini Nakshatra. His birth aimed to end sin, falsehood, and unrighteousness.
Janmashtami Festivities
During Janmashtami, devotees worship the child form of Lord Krishna. Special celebrations are organized in Krishna temples.
Baby Krishna’s birth is reenacted, and devotional songs are sung. Most temples close at night, and Lord Krishna rests.
Since Lord Krishna was born in the middle of the night, midnight prayers are a significant part of Janmashtami celebrations.
South Indian Krishna Temples
When we think of Lord Krishna, places like Mathura, Gokul, and Vrindavan come to mind. These were where Lord Krishna spent his childhood.
Later, he became the king of Dwarka in Gujarat. These places are home to ancient and renowned Krishna temples.
However, South India also boasts grand and ancient temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. If you’re traveling in South India during Janmashtami, you can visit these Krishna temples.
Prominent South Indian Krishna Temples
Here are some notable Krishna temples in South India:
1. Guruvayur Temple, Kerala
While Dwarka in Gujarat is famous for Lord Krishna’s temple, Guruvayur Temple in Kerala is equally renowned.
It’s one of South India’s most celebrated temples and is often referred to as “Bhuloka Vaikunta,” signifying the most sacred place of Lord Vishnu on Earth.
Here, Lord Krishna is worshiped in his child form, known as Guruvayurappan.
2. Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Chennai
Chennai city also houses a famous Krishna temple called Parthasarathy Temple, located in Triplicane.
This temple worships four incarnations of Lord Vishnu, including Krishna, Rama, Narasimha, and Varaha. The temple has a rich history and remarkable architecture.
3. Jagannath Puri Temple, Odisha
One of the four sacred places in India, Jagannath Puri Temple is situated in the state of Odisha.
Lord Krishna is present here along with his elder brother Balarama and sister Subhadra. It is believed that after the Dvapara Yuga, Lord Krishna continued to reside in Puri.
The annual Rath Yatra from Jagannath Puri is famous worldwide.
4. Udupi Sri Krishna Matha Temple, Karnataka
In South India, Udupi Sri Krishna Matha Temple in Karnataka is renowned for its devotion to Lord Krishna.
The deity is worshiped through a small window with nine holes, and you can see the idol through the holes.
This temple, made of wood and stone, is surrounded by a sacred pond. It hosts grand celebrations during Janmashtami, attracting devotees from nearby cities.
These South Indian Krishna temples provide devotees with a unique and spiritual experience during Janmashtami and throughout the year.
