Sri Krishna Janmashtami

Krishna Janmashtami, also known simply as Janmashtamior Gokulashtami, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu.It is observed according to Hindu luni-solar calendar, on the eighth day (Ashtami) of the Krishna Paksha (dark fortnight) in Shraavana of the lunar Hindu Calendar and Krishna Paksha in Bhadrapad of the lunisolar Hindu Calendar, which overlaps with August and September of the Gregorian calendar.

School children dressed as Hindu Lord Krishna take part in a function held ahead of “Janamashtmi” celebrations in the southern Indian city of Chennai, August 8, 2012. Janamashtmi is the birth anniversary of Lord Krishna which will be celebrated on August 10. REUTERS/Babu (INDIA – Tags: RELIGION SOCIETY ANNIVERSARY)

It is an important festival particularly to the Vaishnavism tradition of Hinduism.Dance-drama enactments of the life of Krishna according to the Bhagavata Purana(such as Rasa lila or Krishna Lila), devotional singing through the midnight when Krishna was born, fasting (upavasa), a night vigil (ratri jagaran), and a festival (mahotsava) on the following day are a part of the Janmashtami celebrations. It is celebrated particularly in Mathura and Vrindavan, along with major Vaishnava and non-sectarian communities found in Manipur, Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and all other states of India.

Krishna Janmashtami is followed by the festival Nandotsav, which celebrates the occasion when Nanda Baba distributed gifts to the community in honour of the birth.

 

Read more: https://www.rohitghai.com/श्री-कृष्ण-जनमाष्टमी-sri-krishna-janmashtami/

Removed – a look at phone addiction

How often to you spend quality time with your family and friends?…a lot? Well, here is what it actually looks like (most of the time).

American photographer Eric Pickersgill photoshopped away the smartphones and digital devices from his portraits of everyday life. The results are -startling. Have a look for your yourself…

https://www.rohitghai.com/removed-a-look-at-phone-addiction/

 

What is yoga?

This seemingly simple question is quite difficult to answer actually. Answers differ – it depends in who is asking the question, and who is being asked. 

Put this question to a traditionalist…and he would surely mention the ‘union’, the melting of consciousness, and a lot more. As a Neo-teacher of yoga, and the most likely answer would involve a lot of ‘posturing’, with a bit of pop spirituality in between. But ask Google, and that’s when it hits the pits. Beer yoga, wine yoga, rage yoga, lamb(??) yoga…the list of quirks is endless.

So, what is yoga?

Read all about it at: https://www.rohitghai.com/what-is-yoga/ 

Rakshabandhan – रक्षाबंधन

Rākhī derives from the Sanskrit rakṣikā, a join: rakṣā protection.

On this day, sisters of all ages tie a talisman, or amulet, called the rakhi, around the wrists of their brothers, symbolically protecting them, receiving a gift in return, and traditionally investing the brothers with a share of the responsibility of their potential care.

Read more about this unique festival here: https://www.rohitghai.com/rakshabandhan-रक्षाबंधन/