….At the Stroke of Midnight
Throughout the day, Hindus around would celebrate the occasion in a somber and pleasant manner. While fasting as a sign of their devotion, they would recite life stories and teachings of the Lord.
And if you feel in a bit more of an outdoor-ish mood then a stroll around the neighborhood would showcase the beautifully decorated temples and you may see children dressed up in the attire that Krishna wore at the time of his birth. You might even catch a word or two from the ‘ Krishna Leelas’ or plays that depict scenes of Krishna’s life, to entertain and inform spectators of the marvels of the lord.
And then comes the night. Eagerness stands with bated breath as the people anxiously wait the striking of the clock at midnight, indicating that the birth of Lord Krishna. And then it does. And off goes the firecrackers! Celebrations come into full swing as fasts are broken, people flood the streets, the music is turned on to the highest volume and the night comes ALIVE!
Traditions and games also take place where the Dahi Handi is the most widely recognized of all which involves the breaking of the clay pot as the story goes that when Krishna was a little boy, Yashoda his foster mother, would hide her pot of yogurt and cream high up in the house, hoping that it would be out of reach of her mischievous baby. So don’t be surprised if you see a literal human pyramid scheme performing this very act, as this is a sign of a tradition that has lived on, in great spirit, for years.
So the next time you happen to catch yourself around one such festival, armed with the information you now know, it wouldn’t be unexpected if you joined the celebrations yourself. So pick up that sweet butter roll, sing and dance along to the rhythms, watch fantastic plays explaining the life of a fantastic god and witness the life of a religion come into being.
