Janmashtami has almost arrived. The much awaited Hindu festival is celebrated worldwide with lots of joy, enthusiasm and vigour. Janmashtami marks the birth of Lord Krishna. Many cultural programs and events are organised to celebrate Janmashtami.
There are many spiritual practices and customs that are followed during Janmashtami. For example, fasting is very common to observe this Hindu festival. Also known as Janmashtami vrat, fasting is observed for 24 hours by devotees of Lord Krishna. During Janmashtami fasting, people either eat fruits or do not eat anything and survive just on water till they offer prayers at midnight.
It is believed that Lord Krishna was born at 12 in the midnight. This is the time when devotees offer prayers to the naughty 'mahan chor' and then break their fast. Lord Krishna was known for His sweet tooth so, devotees make sure that they prepare lots of sweets and desserts. They offer it to the deity and then have it as 'bhog'.
Fasting is mostly observed during Janmashtami to chant His name, remove impurities from body, mind and soul. Devotees spend their vrat day by chanting bhajans and taking name of Krishna. It is also done to celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna, and is also considered as an offering to Bal Gopal. There are 2 most common types of Janmashtami fasting that are observed by Lord Krishna devotees on this auspicious Hindu festival.
Types Of Janmashtami Fasting:
Phalahar Fast: Also known as Phalahar vrat, it is one of the most common types of Janmashtami fasting. The person refrains from cereals, grains, salt and rice. Only buckwheat flour and potatoes are prepared once in the day. The phalahar is consumed midnight after offering prayers and bhog to Krishna. The person can eat fruits and drink milk before sunset.
Nirjal Fast:
This is a strict type of Janmashtami fasting where the person refrains from water as well. The devotee doesn't eat or drink anything until midnight Janmashtami Puja is performed, and the bhog is offered to the deity.
Significance of Janmashtami fasting: It is believed that Janmashtami fasting is thousand times beneficial than Ekadashi vrat. Lord Narayan incarnated midnight on this day.When Yudhishthira asked the benefit of Janmashtami vrat, Lord Krishna replied, "One observing fast on Janmashtami will never lack wealth, food and fame." It is said that couples must abstain from sex on this day.
What to prepare during Janmashtami fasting? Lord Krishna has a fetish for sweets, especially milk sweets. You can break your fast by eating a sweet dish that is prepared with milk or khoya (coagulated milk). Other dishes will be prepared without onions and garlic in it. Phalahar fasting will be broken with kutta ki roti (buckwheat flour roti), boiled potato with tomato sabji (without normal salt, onions and garlic).
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